Abstract
Phosphate ore, which may be associated with natural radionuclides, has been used for a long time as a builder in detergents. The daily use and discharge of detergents in wastewater may lead to the accumulation of radionuclides in the environment. Therefore, the current study was carried out to determine the radioactivity levels of Ra-226, Th-232, K-40, and U-238 in 15 samples of detergent powders that are widely used in Saudi Arabia, using gamma-ray spectrometry (HPGe). The results showed that these radionuclides were below or similar to the recommended limits, except U-238 in two types of detergent powders. Further, radium equivalent activity (Ra-eq), the outdoor and indoor absorbed dose rate (D), and annual effective dose (E) were calculated to assess the radiological hazard effects due to radionuclides in detergent powders. The results indicate that the analyzed samples of detergent powders are safe for consumers and the environment.