Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
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Assessment of natural radionuclides and heavy metals contamination to the environment: Case study of Malaysian unregulated tin-tailing processing industry

  • Rahmat, Muhammad Abdullah (Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) ;
  • Ismail, Aznan Fazli (Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) ;
  • Rodzi, Nursyamimi Diyana (Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) ;
  • Aziman, Eli Syafiqah (Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) ;
  • Idris, Wan Mohd Razi (Water Analysis, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) ;
  • Lihan, Tukimat (Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia)
  • Received : 2021.07.07
  • Accepted : 2021.12.12
  • Published : 2022.06.25
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Abstract

The tin tailing processing industry in Malaysia has operated with minimal regard and awareness for material management and working environment safety, impacting the environment and workers in aspects of radiation and heavy metal exposure. RIA was conducted where environmental samples were analyzed, revealing concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K between the range of 0.1-10.0, 0.0-25.7, and 0.1-5.8 Bq/g respectively, resulting in the AED exceeding UNCEAR recommended value and regulation limit enforced by AELB (1 mSv/y). Raeq calculated indicates that samples collected pose a significant threat to human health from gamma-ray exposure. Assessment of heavy metal content via pollution indices of soil and sediment showed significant contamination and enrichment from processing activities conducted. As and Fe were two of the highest metals exposed both via soil ingestion with an average of 4.6 × 10-3 mg/kg-day and 1.4 × 10-4 mg/kg-day, and dermal contact with an average of 5.6 × 10-4 mg/kg-day and 6.0 × 10-4. mg/kg-day respectively. Exposure via accidental ingestion of soil and sediment could potentially cause adverse non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic health effect towards workers in the industry. Correlation analysis indicates the presence of a relationship between the concentration of NORM and trace elements.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

This research was financially supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation (MOSTI) under research Grant ST-2019-004. The authors express gratitude to the Nuclear Science Program staff, UKM, for their technical support throughout the research.

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