Radiation risks of daily coffee consumption: Analysis of radioactive nuclide concentrations in imported coffee beans (case study: Libya) المخاطر الإشعاعية للاستهلاك اليومي للقهوة: تحليل ت ر اكيز النويدات المشعة في حبوبالبن المستوردة )دراسة حالة: ليبيا(

Abstract

This study examines the radiation risks linked to daily coffee consumption by analyzing the presence of natural and artificial radioactive contaminants in imported coffee beans in Libya. With coffee being a widely consumed beverage, this study addresses the often-overlooked issue of radioactive contamination in food products. Samples of roasted Arabica and Robusta coffee beans from India, Brazil, Colombia, and Ethiopia were collected and analyzed using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The results revealed no detectable levels of the artificial radionuclide; however, measurable concentrations of K⁴⁰, Ra²²⁶, and Ra²²⁸ were identified. Notably, K⁴⁰ concentration levels exceeded the UNSCEAR recommended limit in several samples, Ra²²⁶ and Ra²²⁸ concentrations remained within safe limits. The estimated annual effective dose from coffee consumption for adults ranged from 17.68 to 92.57 μSv.y⁻¹. The lowest effective dose that the consumer can receive comes from Colombian coffee, while the highest dose comes from Brazilian coffee. In general, all effective doses are below the global mean for internal radiation exposure. These findings suggest that while the radioactive content in the analyzed coffee poses minimal health risks, ongoing monitoring and regulation are crucial to ensure consumer safety.

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