Characterization of natural radioactivity and relative dose due to consumption of edible bivalves inhabiting the Cochin Backwater Lagoon, Kerala, southwestern coast of India

The study on natural radionuclides in edible bivalves from the Cochin backwater lagoon, Kerala, employing alpha spectrometry, revealed higher concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb compared to 238U and 232Th. The annual committed effective dose (ACED) for the adult coastal population was calculated at a range of 1494.9 to 5783.4 μSv y−1, with 210Po being the predominant contributor, responsible for about 85 % of the dose. This highlighted significant health risks, underscored by a calculated cumulative mortality and morbidity risk range between 5.23 × 10−3 and 2.02 × 10−2. These findings emphasized the need for further research and the development of regulatory measures to mitigate exposure risks. •Radionuclide concentrations in Cochin backwater lagoon varied significantly.•Higher 210Po and 210Pb were observed in bivalve species.•Effective dose was higher due to 210Po.•Carcinogenic risks were little higher than recommended levels.