Natural radionuclide of Po210 in the edible seafood affected by coal-fired power plant industry in Kapar coastal area of Malaysia

Abstract

BackgroundPo210 can be accumulated in various environmental materials, including marine organisms, and contributes to the dose of natural radiation in seafood. The concentration of this radionuclide in the marine environment can be influenced by the operation of a coal burning power plant but existing studies regarding this issue are not well documented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the Po210 concentration level in marine organisms from the coastal area of Kapar, Malaysia which is very near to a coal burning power plant station and to assess its impact on seafood consumers.MethodsConcentration of Po210 was determined in the edible muscle of seafood and water from the coastal area of Kapar, Malaysia using radiochemical separation and the Alpha Spectrometry technique.ResultsThe activities of Po210 in the dissolved phase of water samples ranged between 0.51 ± 0.21 and 0.71 ± 0.24 mBql-1 whereas the particulate phase registered a range of 50.34 ± 11.40 to 72.07 ± 21.20 Bqkg-1. The ranges of Po210 activities in the organism samples were 4.4 ± 0.12 to 6.4 ± 0.95 Bqkg-1 dry wt in fish (Arius maculatus), 45.7 ± 0.86 to 54.4 ± 1.58 Bqkg-1 dry wt in shrimp (Penaeus merguiensis) and 104.3 ± 3.44 to 293.8 ± 10.04 Bqkg-1 dry wt in cockle (Anadara granosa). The variation of Po210 in organisms is dependent on the mode of their life style, ambient water concentration and seasonal changes. The concentration factors calculated for fish and molluscs were higher than the recommended values by the IAEA. An assessment of daily intake and received dose due to the consumption of seafood was also carried out and found to be 2083.85 mBqday-1person-1 and 249.30 μSvyr-1 respectively. These values are comparatively higher than reported values in other countries. Moreover, the transformation of Po210 in the human body was calculated and revealed that a considerable amount of Po210 can be absorbed in the internal organs. The calculated values of life time mortality and morbidity cancer risks were 24.8 × 10-4 and 34 × 10-4 respectively which also exceeded the recommended limits set by the ICRP.ConclusionsThe findings of this present study can be used to evaluate the safety dose uptake level of seafood as well as to monitor environmental health. However, as the calculated dose and cancer risks were found to cross the limit of safety, finding a realistic way to moderate the risk is imperative.

Activity concentrations of 137Caesium and 210Polonium in seafood from fishing regions of New Zealand and the dose assessment for seafood consumers

“…Regions containing industries that release NORM can also influence 210 Po in molluscs. Water in the vicinity of a coal powered power plant in Malaysia was noted by the authors as having higher 210 Po activity than other locations around the coast (Alam and Mohamed, 2011).…”

Penentuan Kepekatan Aktiviti Radionuklid Tabii 232th, 238u dan 40k dalam Ikan di Pesisiran Pantai Terengganu, Malaysia

“…Ikan dan hasil laut merupakan sumber makanan yang penting di pelbagai tempat di dunia dan mempunyai potensi besar sebagai sumber protein berharga bagi kebanyakan negara membangun (Young et al 2002). Malaysia dianggap antara pengguna makanan laut yang paling tinggi di rantau Asia Tenggara mengikut tempoh pengambilan per kapita dan peratusan protein (Alam & Mohamed 2011).…”

210Po concentration in desulfurized waste water of coal-fired power plant

“…Coal is the second-largest energy source, playing a paramount role in generating electricity by contributing up to 39% in global production (Alam & Mohamed, 2011). In China, coal plays a much bigger role in electricity generation by accounting for over 75% of the nation's electricity capacity (Chuangao et al, 2017).…”

“…The contamination of 210 Po in ocean can be spread to seafood through food chain, and eventually affect human being. Lubna et al estimated the 210 Po concentration level in marine organisms from the coastal area close to a CFP and assessed its impact on seafood consumers (Alam, 2016;Alam & Mohamed, 2011, 2018. They found that the average activity observed in the dissolved phase is higher than that of other places in the same country.…”