238U and 232Th contents in common foods in Morocco and resulting radiation doses to the general population

Uranium (238U) and thorium (232Th) contents were measured in different foods widely consumed in Morocco by using a method based on determining the detection efficiencies of the CR-39 and LR-115 type II solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTDs) for the emitted αα-particles. Alpha-activities due to annual 238U and 232Th intakes from the ingestion of the studied foodstuffs were determined in different compartments of the human body of adult members of the public by using the ICRP biokinetic models for these radionuclides. Committed equivalent doses due to annual intakes of 238U and 232Th were evaluated in the human body compartments of adult members of the Moroccan population. Data obtained were compared with those obtained by using the ICRP ingestion dose coefficients. The influence of the mass of the target tissue and activities due to 238U and 232Th on the committed equivalent doses due to annual intakes of these radionuclides in the compartments of the human body was investigated.