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Radioactive Content of Lantern Gas Mantles Used in Night Food Stalls and Camping |
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PP: 127-134 |
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doi:10.18576/jrna/030301
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Author(s) |
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C.D. Mandujano-García,
M. Sosa,
M.A.Vallejo,
J. Mantero,
G. Manjón,
R. García-Tenorio,
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Abstract |
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| Incandescent gas mantles are used for illumination by nocturnal food stalls, camping and other activities. In some countries, thorium-containing gas mantles are available without any indication of the possible radioactive content, resulting in a potential increase of exposure to consumers. In this work, the radioactive content of gas mantles of several brands from Mexico and Spain is studied. Scanning electron microscopy, gamma-ray and alpha-particle spectrometry were used for morphological and radio metrical characterization of gas mantles. The results indicate that some of the analyzed gas mantles contain 232Th and their descendants, with values ranging from detection limits up to 683, 345 and 277 Bq/g for 232Th, 228Ra and 228Th, respectively. The levels of activity concentration of radio nuclides in thorium-containing gas mantles exceed the limits set by International Basic Safety Standards, but still, gas mantles with radioactive content are available in some countries to consumers without any radiological control. |
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