Determination of Alpha Particles Concentration in Toothpaste Using CR-39 Track Detector

Fouad A. Majeed, Inaam H. Kadhim, Ali O. Muhsen, Khalid H. Abass
Department of Physics, College of Education for Pure Sciences, University of Babylon, Babylon, Iraq
Email: fouadalajeeli@yahoo.com
Received 19 May 2015; accepted 20 June 2015; published 23 June 2015

Abstract
The present study focuses on determination of alpha particles concentration in different samples
of toothpaste by using nuclear track detector (CR-39). Nine samples of toothpaste have been collected
from local Iraqi markets in Babylon Province. These samples have been chosen according to
their most commonly use in Babylon Province. The samples were kept with CR-39 detector for six
weeks period and then etched by 6.25 N of NaOH solution at temperature of 60?C for 5 hours. The
results of the present work show that Sample 3 (Frosty) found to have a high alpha concentration
about four times compared with Sample 4 (Aquafresh) and about 2 - 3 times compared with other
samples.
Keywords
Alpha Concentration, CR-39 Detector, Fission Track Technique, Toothpaste

1. Introduction
The radioactive elements emit ionizing radiation like alpha particles (?), beta particles (?) and gamma rays (?),
and it is well-known that all these types of ionizing radiation have a biological effect on the living system. Alpha particles will travel only about (30 ?m) in soft tissue and, therefore, are unable to penetrate paper, glass, or even dead superficial layer of skin. Beta particles have greater ability to penetrate the skin. In contrast, ?-ray is extremely penetrating. As such, a ?-ray presents a hazard both internally and externally. Radioactive elements emit alpha particles, which in direct physical contact, the insoluble parts of these particles enter the body of an exposed person, will stay there and consequently ionize the body organ and the tissue surrounding it and causing different types of cancer [1].

The health effects of alpha particles depend heavily upon how exposure takes place. External exposure is of far less concern than internal exposure, because alpha particles lack the penetration power of the outer dead layer of skin. However, if alpha emitters have been inhaled, ingested (swallowed) or absorbed into the blood stream, sensitive living tissue can be exposed to alpha radiation. The result of biological damage increases the risk of cancer; in particular, alpha radiation is known to cause lung cancer in humans when alpha emitters are inhaled [2].
The significant accumulation of radionuclide in and on the tissues, directly or indirectly exposed due to the lipsticks, toothpaste, vermilion, may cause health hazards [3].
The uranium concentrations have been determined for eleven building construction materials by using the fis- sion track technique by L. A. Najam et al. [4]. Their results found that uranium concentration ranged between 0.22 ppm in ceramics and 1.86 ppm in marble and they were all below the allowed limit of 11.7 ppm. Al-Hamzawi et al. [5], have used the fission track technique to determine trace concentration of uranium in human blood samples n from two groups of male and female participants: leukemia patients and healthy subjects group. The blood samples of leukemia patients and healthy subjects were collected from three key southern go- vernorates namely, Basrah, Muthanna and Dhi-Qar.
results showed that the highest recorded uranium concentration in the blood samples of leukemia
patients was 4.71 ppb (female, 45 years old, from Basrah) and the minimum concentration was 1.91
ppb (male, 3 years old, from Muthanna). For healthy group, the maximum uranium concentration was
2.15 ppb (female, 55 years old, from Basrah) and the minimum concentration was
0.86 ppb (male, 5 years old, from Dhi-Qar).
The aim of the present work is to determine alpha particles concentration in toothpaste samples
which are available in the local market in Babylon Province in Iraq by using alpha-emitters
registrations in (CR-39) nuc-
lear track detector.