Assessment of Radionuclide Transfer from Soil to Vegetables in Farms from Cameron Highlands and Penang, (Malaysia) Using Neutron Activation Analysis

The concentrations of natural radionuclide of 238U and 232Th have been measured by neutron activation analysis technique in essential vegetables and soil samples collected from farms in Cameron Highlands and Penang, Malaysia. The concentrations of natural radionuclide in Tomato, Eggplant, Lattice, Pumpkin, Cucumber, Onion, Okra, and Chilli were measured. In soil, the average concentrations of 238U and 232Th were 203.832.05 Bq/kg and 186.173.35 Bq/kg, respectively in Cameron Highland. The highest concentrations of uranium and thorium were 6.251.58 Bq/kg and 2.51.55 Bq/kg in cucumber and lettuce products, respectively in the Cameron highlands. The transfer factors of these radionuclides from soil to vegetables were estimated. The highest estimation was in Cucumber and lettuce. These values were compared with the published data and were found to be within acceptable limits.