Browsing by Author "Sanderson, Emma"

Filter results by typing the first few letters
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Assessment of bioaccessibility of naturally occurring radionuclides from snus to consumers
    (2025-03-05) Sanderson, Emma; University of Gothenburg/Institute of Clinical Sciences; Göteborgs universitet/Institutionen för kliniska vetenskaper
    Purpose: Naturally occuring radionuclides can be found in everything we consume, including the tobacco used to make snus. This study aimed to investigate the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides in snus, their bioaccessibility during consumption, and the associated radiological risks to consumers. Methods: A total of 16 samples were sourced from Swedish stores to reflect the national market. A radiological characterization of the samples was conducted through digestion, radiochemical processing, and alpha spectrometry analysis, focusing on 210Po, 232Th, 234U, and 238U. The activity concentrations of these radionuclides in the snus were calculated. A bioaccessibility study analyzed the same radionuclides, simulating real-life snus use to estimate the fraction extracted by saliva. Both used snus and saliva were processed and analyzed using alpha spectrometry. The committed effective dose from annual snus consumption was then calculated. Results: The characterization revealed that 210Po ranged from 2.4–3.0 mBq/g in loose snus and 1.2–5.1 mBq/pouch in pouched snus. For 232Th, levels varied between 0.22–0.42 mBq/g in loose snus and 0.1–0.66 mBq/pouch in pouched snus. 234U ranged from 0.22–0.27 mBq/g in loose snus and 0.07–0.21 mBq/pouch in pouched snus, while 238U was between <0.04–0.23 mBq/g in loose snus and 0.08–0.26 mBq/pouch in pouched snus. Minimal or no activity was detected in tobacco-free snus. The bioaccessibility study demonstrated that all samples transferred 210Po into saliva, with leaching values ranging from 9 ± 3% to 34 ± 7%. Only a limited number of samples showed leaching of other radionuclides, and just one sample appeared to have transferred all radionuclides into saliva. The committed effective dose from one year of snus consumption attributed to 210Po ranged between 1.3 - 8.3 μSv, averaging at 4.55 μSv. Discussion and conclusion: This study conclusively demonstrates that snus use contributes to the annual radiation dose, providing a basis for future research. However, it has limitations, including unexplored factors such as the packaging and design of pouched snus. While the contribution to the annual dose is present, its specific implications for human health remain uncertain. Addressing these knowledge gaps by refining the study design, the inclusion of additional variables, and further investigation into the radiological risks of snus could enhance understanding and potentially lead to strategies that mitigate associated risks in the future.