Transfer of polonium-210 from soil to tobacco oroducts and their associated radiological dose to smokers in Tanzania

Résumé

This study investigated the transfer of polonium-210 from soil to tobacco products and the associated radiological risks to smokers.Soil, tobacco leaf, and cigarette samples were collected from three major tobacco-growing regions, Iringa (Magubike), Tabora (Sikonge), and Ruvuma (Matimila), and analyzed using an alpha spectrometry system.The polonium-210 activity in soils ranged from 178.49 ± 9.92 to 1190.20 ± 187.20 mBq/g in Iringa, 247.11 ± 9.90 to 1324.36 ± 25.76 mBq/g in Tabora, and 321.56 ± 31.52 to 1557.30 ± 41.62 mBq/g in Ruvuma, with mean values of 704.4 ± 187.2 mBq/g, 656.96 ± 25.76 mBq/g, and 819.49± 41.62 mBq/g, respectively.These values exceeded the global average of 25-150 mBq/g for 210 Po.Tobacco leaves showed polonium-210 levels ranging from 6.00 ± 0.00 to 33.99 ± 4.00 mBq/g, with a mean of 17.77 mBq/g in Iringa; in Tabora, levels ranged from 7.94 ± 0.00 to 43.91 ± 13.97 mBq/g, with a mean of 28.34 mBq/g; and in Ruvuma, the highest values ranged from 5.99 ± 0.00 to 95.29 ± 11.91 mBq/g, with a mean of 33.06 mBq/g.The soil-to-leaf transfer factors averaged 0.0768 for Iringa, 0.0662 for Tabora, and 0.0452 for Ruvuma, indicating transfer of 210 Po through roots and atmospheric deposition.The leaf-to-cigarette transfer factors were approximately 0.00116 for Winston, 0.00182 for Master, and 0.00248 for Portsman.Corresponding annual effective doses were 28.67 µSv for Winston, 43.00 µSv for Master, and 57.33 µSv for Portsman, which is below the limit of 1 mSv/year recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection.Despite a low Exposure Hazard Index, long-term inhalation risks warrant ongoing monitoring of polonium-210 in soils, tobacco, and cigarettes to protect public health.

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