Non-destructive determination of 235U, 238U, 232Th and 40K concentrations in various consumed nuts and their implication on radiation dose levels to the human body

The naturally occurring radionuclides of 238,235,234U,232Th and 40K and their daughter products are a potential source of radiation found in food. We have determined these five radiation sources in five popular consumed nuts. We used the following neutron activation analysis reactions of 238U(n,γ)239U, 232Th(n,γ)233Th and 41K(n,γ)42K to determine 238U and 232Th and 40K, respectively. Using known activity ratios of uranium stable isotopes we determined the activity of 234,235U, while 40K was found by the determined concentrations of 41K in the nuts. While the radiation doses are small we have established a reliable methodology to determine these radionuclides in typical edible nuts.