APL008-3-5 Analysis of 137Cs Presence in Human Scalp Hair Samples Using High Purity Germanium Detector

Abstract

Human hairs are one of the most important bio-indicators that be used for environmental and workplace exposure to toxic elements. The analysis of hair for its radionuclide content would reflect the intake of the nuclides into the human body over several preceding months. In this study investigation the presence of radioactive isotope (¹³⁷Cs) in hair of radiation worker at Al-Tuwaitha site by using gamma spectroscopy. We chose 50 people to study the scalp hair samples. Divided into two groups (25 radiation workers, 25 control groups). The specific activity of radio-cesuim ¹³⁷Cs in hair samples was measured by high purity germanium detector. No statistically significant difference was seen in ¹³⁷Cs between hair sample of radiation worker and control group (P-value: 0.4563, P ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, worker and control groups were founded equally exposed with the same level ¹³⁷Cs within normal limit under Minimal Detection Activity (MDA).