ANALYSIS OF NATURAL OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDE ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION AND HEAVY METAL ACCUMULATION OF FISH IN WEST COAST WATERS OF SABAH, MALAYSIA
Muhammad Nur Rashidi Rosli (a*), Nurashikin Abd Azis (b), Madihah Jafar Sidik (c)

a) Preparatory Center for Science and Technology, University Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Jalan UMS, 88400, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
*mnrashidirosli[at]ums.edu.my
b) Faculty of Security and Governance, North Borneo University College, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
c) Borneo Marine Research Institute,
Universiti Malaysia Sabah, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Abstract

Fish is an important source of protein in human diets, but concerns arise due to natural radionuclide contamination in food and water sources. This study aimed to assess the concentration radionuclides activities (232Th, 238U, and 40K) in three commercial fish species from west coast waters of Sabah, Malaysia. Additionally, the annual effective dose and cancer risk for adults consuming these fish were evaluated. The concentration analysis was conducted using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) technique. The study also calculated the annual effective dose and cancer risk from the presence of radionuclides in fish. The average concentration levels of radionuclide activity detected are 0.14 Bq/kg for 232Th, 0.43 Bq/kg for 238U, and 42.56 Bq/kg for 40K, the annual effective dose was estimated to be much lower than UNSCEAR recommendations. The collective effective dose was estimated at 1.88 microSv/y for 232Th, 1.11 microSv/y for 238U, and 15.12 microSv/y for 40K. The cancer risk for adults from the annual effective dose was also found to be much lower than UNSCEAR and ICRP recommendations. Based on the study^s findings, consuming fish from west coast waters of Sabah is deemed safe and has no significant radiological impact on human health. However, it is recommended to establish a long-term monitoring system for radionuclide bioaccumulation in fish to gather valuable information for assessing the potential health risks associated with radionuclides in Malaysia, particularly in the Sabah.

Keywords: Bioaccumulation. Inductive Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Radionuclide. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA).

Topic: Marine Hazard, and Coastal Protection