Natural Radioactivity Levels in Canned Food

The aim of this book is to set up a database for concentrations of natural and anthropogenic radioisotopes in Iraq in (55) canned food samples of wheat flour, milk powder, legumes and other foods available in Iraqi markets. The principal and naturally occurring Radioactivity in human and natural environments radioisotopes: 238U(226Ra), 232Th and 40K have been measured via gamma ray spectroscopy with a NaI(Tl) detector. Also ( 42) canned liquid samples of the most common forms of liquid milk, juice and soft drinks have been examined for detecting the presence of Radon with an innovative measurement technique by means of alpha spectrometry of Radon short-lived progenies using the RAD-7 Radon-in-air analyzer. Total samples of conned food in present study is (97) samples.All these results for the average specific activities and the Radiation Hazard Indices of 238U(226Ra), 232Th and40K were compared with the limits recommended by UNSCEAR and found to be below those values.All results of radon concentrations were lower than the recommended limits indicated by the World Health Organization and by the regulatory bodies of European Union.