Verificação dos traços radioativos naturais na alimentação infantil

Abstract

Natural radionuclides are present in the foodstuffs composition, as well as in the whole of nature, since they are elements found in all parts of the ecosystem since the Earth formation. The presente work consists in carrying out a bibliographical research on the natural radioactive traces present in foods consumed by children in the range of 1 to 2 years old. Priority was given to research using the high-resolution gamma spectrometry technique. This is a nondestructive nuclear technique that analyze the food in its natural state. The main foods analyses in the work include milk, and ceral flour constituents such as corn, rice, wheat and multimixture flour. This last item is provided by entities engaged in the fight against malnutrition, such as Pastoral da Criança, to attend children with signs of nutritional deficiency. From the activities found in these foods, it is intended to estimate the annual consumption rates of these foods, based also on the maximmum limits of doses established by the national and international radioprotection organs, and analyse the results that may generate some harm to the health of those children.