Assessment of radionuclide levels, annual effective dose, and lifetime cancer risk from cultivated crop samples in Hainan Island, China

Objective This study aims to evaluate the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in major edible crops from Hainan Island, quantify the annual effective dose and lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) caused by dietary intake, and provide a scientific basis for local food safety regulation and radiation protection strategies. Methods Sixteen representative crop samples (12 vegetables, 4 grains) were collected in 2025. High-purity germanium gamma spectrometry (HPGe) was used to measure the activity concentrations of 228 Ra, 226 Ra, and 40 K. Combined with Chinese dietary consumption data and ICRP-recommended dose conversion coefficients, the annual effective doses for adults and children were calculated, and ELCR was estimated using a risk model. Results Radionuclide activities followed the order 40 K > 228 Ra > 226 Ra. The average 40 K concentration was highest (vegetables: 121.517 (95% CI: 99.252–143.781) Bq/kg; grains: 146.375 (95% CI: −194.875–487.625) Bq/kg). 226 Ra and 228 Ra levels were below national regulatory limits. The mean annual effective doses from vegetable consumption were 0.116 (95% CI: 0.095–0.137) mSv/y for adults and 0.213 (95% CI: 0.169–0.257) mSv/y for children, grain consumption contributed 0.216 (95% CI: −0.304–0.736) mSv/y and 0.405 (95% CI: −0.593–1.403) mSv/y, respectively. Only one rice sample (G2) produced an annual effective dose for children (1.344 mSv/y) exceeding the 1 mSv/y reference level. ELCR was far below the ICRP recommended limit (2.5 × 10 −3 ), with children’s risk approximately 1.8 times higher than that of adults. Conclusion The radioactivity levels in Hainan crops are generally safe, and the radiation risk from dietary intake is within acceptable limits. Children require particular attention due to differences in metabolism and consumption rates. Long-term monitoring is recommended, especially for staple crops like rice, and further research should track the impact of agricultural practices on radionuclide migration

China · Confidence interval · Crop · Effective dose (radiation) · Radionuclide · Reference dose · Risk assessment · Radiation Detection and Scintillator Technologies · Radioactive contamination and transfer · Radioactivity and Radon Measurements

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