Assessment of committed effective dose due to the ingestion of (210)Po and (210)Pb in consumed Lebanese fish affected by a phosphate fertilizer plant

International audience; Ingestion of radionuclides through seafood intake is a one of the sources contributing to the internal effective dose in the human organism. In order to evaluate the internal exposure and potential risks due to 210Po and 210Pb associated with fish consumption, these radionuclides were measured in commonly consumed fish species from a clean area and an area subjected to the impact of a Lebanese phosphate fertilizer plant. The highest concentration of 210Pb was 98.7Bq/kg fresh weight while 210Po activity concentrations varied from 3.6Bq/kg to 140Bq/kg. A supplementary radiation exposure was detected; the highest committed effective dose due to 210Po and 210Pb was found to be 1110μSv/y and 450μSv/y, respectively. Moreover, the average mortality and morbidity risks due to the fish consuming were estimated. © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.