Radiological Risks Assessment Due to Natural Radioactivity in Mediterranean Sea Fishes

Abstract

Background and Objectives: A comprehensive study was carried out for the determination of natural radioactivity in Mediterranean sea fishes and the evaluation of radiological health risks due to their ingestion. All analyzed samples came from the Calabria region, southern Italy, and, in particular, from the district of Reggio Calabria. Method: A total of seventy representative samples, five for each investigated species (Sardina Pilchardus, Mugil Cephalus, Scomber Scombrus, Sparus Aurata, Dicentrarchus Labrax, Tonnus Thynnus, Thunnus Alalunga, Xiphaias Gladius, Pagellus Erythrinnus, Engraulis Encrasicholus, Belone Belone, Solea Solea, Merluccius Merluccius, Mullus Surmuletus) were analyzed through HPGe gamma spectrometry. The evaluation of dose levels and lifetime cancer risks for adult members of the population due to the fishes ingestion was also performed. Results: The specific activity of 40K was investigated and its mean value was found to be: (157 ± 17) for Sardina Pilchardus, (138 ± 14) for Mugil Cephalus, (118 ± 13) for Scomber Scombrus, (128 ± 14) for Sparus Aurata, (146 ± 17) for Dicentrarchus Labrax, (93 ± 11) for Tonnus Thynnus, (137 ± 15) for Thunnus Alalunga, (98 ± 10) for Xiphaias Gladius, (105 ± 12) for Pagellus Erythrinnus, (132 ± 14) for Engraulis Encrasicholus, (113 ± 12) for Belone Belone, (34 ± 5) for Solea Solea, (76 ± 9) for Merluccius Merluccius and (96 ± 11) for Mullus Surmuletus, respectively. Conclusions: The committed effective dose and the lifetime cancer risks for adult members of the population due to the consumption of the investigated samples are lower than the average world value, the maximum acceptable level and the allowed range, respectively. It can then be concluded that the Mediterranean sea fishes consumed in the study area pose no significant health risks to the population from a radiological point of view.