Radiological assessment and health hazards of rice samples consumed in Quetta, Balochistan

The presence of natural radionuclides in our environment plays a vital role due to associated health hazards. Therefore, radionuclides such as 40 K, 226 Ra, and 232 Th, along with their associated health hazards, were investigated in 20 rice samples consumed in Quetta, Balochistan, using a Sodium Iodide detector. The range 40 K, 226 Ra and 232 Th was found 66.32 to 361.64, 5.62 to 33.89 and 2.19 to 33.68 Bq kg −1 , respectively. The average values of these radionuclides were found 198.78, 21.98, and 22.60 Bq kg −1 , respectively. However, all radionuclide values under investigation were found to be below the recommended safe limits of 82 ( 232 Th), 310 ( 40 K), and 67 Bq kg −1 ( 226 Ra). Radium equivalent (Ra eq ), external (H ex ), and Internal (H in ) hazard indices were found to be less than the world's permissible values. Pearson's correlation coefficients indicate a positive association among the radionuclides under investigation. From the obtained results, the level of radionuclides in rice samples was found to be below safe limits and poses no significant health hazard to the population consuming rice available in Quetta.