Measurement of radioactivity levels and internal hazard indices for intravenous medicinal nutrients

The medical usage of nutrients is essential for the healthcare processes in all countries and is increasing with an increased number of patients. For this, it is necessary to measure the concentrations of radioactive elements (i.e. 40K, 238U, and 232Th). Especially, those are included in their composition due to their serious health impacts on human life. The measurement consists of hazard indexes for 15 types of local intravenous solutions given to cancer patients. They are collected from the Al-Diwaniyah governorate and are investigated using a gamma-ray spectrometer. It is observed that the maximum values for the internal hazard index, absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent, and the specific activity values. For potassium (40K), it is (0.24), (0.23nG/y), (63.93Bq/Kg), and (280.63 ± 9.14 Bq/Kg), respectively for sample N12. So, the minimum values are (0.05), (0.05nG/y), (13.31 Bq/Kg), and (47.57 ± 5.16 Bq/Kg), respectively for sample N7. Also, it noticed that, via the statistics conducted, all radioactive variables were within permitted globally. Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between these variables except for the relationship between potassium and Uranium which was seen to be moderate, but statistically non-significant. The results of this study indicate that there are no radiological risks for all study samples. So, the use of such intravenous solutions can be considered safe from a health point of view.