Heavy metals and natural radionuclides in vegetables consumed by the urban population of Rio de Janeiro City

The present work had the goal to establish a methodology that allows evaluating the incorporation of natural radionuclides and heavy metals by the Brazilian population consuming foodstuff from vegetal origin. The results indicate that doses due to the ingestion of natural radionuclides and heavy metals as well in vegetables and derived products consumed by the Rio de Janeiro population are below the reference values set up international organizations. Regarding U and Th decay chain exposure (238 U, Th, 228 Ra, 226 Ra, 210 Pb), it was estimated an effective dose of 14,5 μSv/a being 228 Ra, 226 Ra e 210 Pb responsible by 96%. Regarding U and Th decay chain exposure (238 U, 232 Th, 228 Ra, 226 Ra, 210 Pb), it was estimated an effective dose of 14,5 μSv/a, being 228 Ra, 226 Ra, e 210 Pb responsible by 96%. The K-40 ingestion dose was assessed as 103 μSv/a. The daily intake of metals was assess as 2870 μg/d for Zn, 2499 μg/d for Mn, 1064 μg/d Cu, 96 μg/d Ni, 14,8 μg/d Cr, 11 μg/d Cd e 4,8 μg/d Pb. The most consumed metals by the Rio de Janeiro city inhabitants are Zn, Mn e Cu. The proposed methodology to extend this effective dose to the main Brazilian cities is to select for special analysis at each region the more consumed fruits at each city, carrots, manioc, tomato and sugar to use as a base line for all country the results of natural radionuclides and heavy metals obtained in this work for vegetables and derived products at specific locations an/or imported and distributed throughout the country, in relation to natural radionuclides, it is only necessary to analyze 228 Ra, 226 Ra e 210 Pb. (author)