A STUDY OF NATURAL RADIONUCLIDE ACTIVITIES AND RADIATION HAZARD INDEX IN SOME GRAINS CONSUMED IN JORDAN (Satu Kajian Mengenai Aktiviti Radionuklida Semulajadi dan Indeks Hazard Sinaran Di Dalam Beberapa Bijirin Yang Di makan di Jordan)

Forty samples of different types of imported and locally produced grains consumed in Jordan were analyzed using gamma-ray spectroscopy system with a high Purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The concentrations of the natural radionuclides 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K present in the studied samples were measured, and the radium equivalent activities Raeq, were calculated. In addition to that, the hazard index HI, was calculated. The average concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K were in the range of (2.0 ± 0.5) ×10 -3 , (7.0 ± 2) ×10 -3 and 49.93 ± 1.69 ppm, respectively. The values of Raeq ranged between 17.70 – 245.64 Bq/kg. The HI were ranged between 0.05 – 0.66, which is less than one (the higher limit of HI). The obtained results were compared with the standard accepted international values, and found to be within the acceptable limits.