Abstract: In order to investigate the content of radionuclides in edible parts of corn and rice in the study area and their resulting annual effective dose to residents, and to provide a scientific basis for ensuring food safety and people’s health, this study analyzed the activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th in edible parts of corn and rice from the study area. The results showed that the mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th in corn were 0.003 7, 0.214, and 0.005 Bq/kg respectively; while the mean activity concentrations of ²³⁸U, ²²⁶Ra, and ²³²Th in rice were 0.051 6, 1.516, and 0.068 Bq/kg respectively. It was also found that rice exhibited a slightly stronger capacity for accumulating radionuclides compared to corn, although the overall enrichment capacity for both crops remained weak. Importantly, the activity concentrations of radiouclides in corn and rice from the study area were below the limits specified in national standards and fell within normal background range of Limit Concentrations of Radioactive Substances in Food Standards. The calculated internal dose value based on local residents′ recipes is significantly lower than the individual dose criterion of 1 mSv/a for existing exposure situations. Therefore, consumption of these crops poses no health risks to residents and is safe for consumption.

Key words: corn, rice, radionuclide content, annual effective dose