Risk of an Excess Cancer Fatality Due to Ingestion of Uranium from Some Pharmaceuticals in Iraq

Ali Abid Abojassim Abojassim,

Published on: 2020-01-02

Abstract

In present work, uranium-238 was measured for (44) samples of medical drugs in Iraqi pharmacies. CR-39 detectors were used in the present study. Also, the “annual average internal dose” (AAIED) and “risk of an excess cancer fatality per million person” (RECFPMP) due to ingestion of these radionuclides in all samples of medical drugs were calculated. The results show that, the average of 238U concentrations in solid samples were (0.29±0.05 ppm), while the average value of (AAIED) and RECFPMP due to ingestion of 238U in drugs samples under study has been found (0.058±0.01μSv/y) and (0.23±0.04) respectively. All results of the value of AAIED and RECFPMP are with a world limit according to UNSCEAR and ICRP respectively. So, the intake of the studied samples of medical drugs in Iraq does due to Uranium concentrations not lead to substantial changes in the internal effective dose. It concludes that, the uranium concentration in the samples under study were not significant from a health hazard point of view.

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