MEASUREMENT OF RADIOISOTOPE CONCENTRATIONS IN HOSPITAL SEWAGE

Abstract

– The purpose of the study is to know the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes of (238U, 232Th, and 40K) in samples collected from the wastewater treatment system of Iraqi hospitals - in 2021, and using gamma ray spectrometry technology, which showed Results (The highest value of 214Pb in the sample N3 after treatment there is an increase (0.16 ± 0.6211) higher than the global determinant (0.1Bq/l) *, the highest value of 203Hg (0.029 ± 0.103) in the sample N4, the value is higher than the global determinant, while the rest of the isotopes it was less than the international limit. The highest value of 212Pb in the sample N3 before and after treatment there was an increase, as well as Av before and after treatment (1±0.1) (0.7±0.78) higher than the international limit (0.5Bq/l). The highest value of 224Ra in N3 sample (0.79 ±1) is higher than the international limit (0.6Bq/l) before treatment... The rest of the isotopes were less than the international limit Radius equivalent (Raeq), absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose (internal and external), external risk index (Hex), internal risk index (Hin), and gamma index (Ig) mean values were determined. The Radiation Hazard Index has been determined to be safe for the general populace as well as the environment. The issue of determining radioisotope concentrations in hospital wastewater before and after treatment has never been addressed in previous research.