1
|
Marschke S, Rish W, Mauro J. Radiation exposures from the beneficial use of alumina production residue. JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION (1995) 2019; 69:1479-1489. [PMID: 31657669 DOI: 10.1080/10962247.2019.1670281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/14/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Estimates of radiation exposure are developed over the life cycle of beneficial use in cement of an alumina production residue (APR) waste pile. The life cycle includes radiation exposures that might be experienced by industrial workers involved in excavation and transport of the residue to cement plants, industrial workers at the cement plants, construction workers making use of the cement, members of the public who might be in the proximity of the cement products, and disposal of the cement at the end of its useful life. The results indicate that it is not reasonably likely for exposures related to beneficial use of APR waste in cement to exceed the acceptance criteria delineated in current radiation protection standards for workers and members of the general public.Implications: Radiation exposure estimates developed over the life cycle of beneficial use in cement of an alumina production residue (APR) waste pile indicate that it is not reasonably likely for exposures to exceed the acceptance criteria delineated in current radiation protection standards for workers and the public. Assumed APR waste characteristics, storage, transport, cement production, uses in concrete, and ultimate disposal are generalizable to many APR situations. The findings demonstrate that beneficial use of APR waste as a cement ingredient can be accomplished safely, with potentially significant benefits to management of the large volume of APR being stored around the world.
Collapse
|
2
|
Madruga MJ, Miró C, Reis M, Silva L. RADIATION EXPOSURE FROM NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN BUILDING MATERIALS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2019; 185:49-57. [PMID: 30544172 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Revised: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Building materials from Iberian Peninsula (Portugal and Spain) were collected and analysed for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K using HPGe gamma-ray spectrometers. The results show that the highest mean value of 226Ra and 232Th activities are 2168 and 390 Bq kg-1, respectively, measured in zircon. For 40K, this value is 1290 Bq kg-1, measured in granite. The mean concentrations of the three radionuclides in the different building materials, excluding the zircon and the industrial by-products (ashes, gypsum and phosphogypsum), are 62, 31 and 519 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The radiological health hazard parameters: radium equivalent activity (Raeq), activity concentration index (I) absorbed and effective dose rates, associated with these radionuclides, were evaluated. These values are within the EU recommended limits in building materials, except for same samples of aggregates, granites, ceramics, phosphogypsum and zircon. This study will contribute for the worldwide data pooling on the radioactivity of the building materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M J Madruga
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, ao km 139,7, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
- Laboratório de Proteção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, ao km 139,7, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - C Miró
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, Universidad de Extremadura, Av. de la Universidad, s/n, Cáceres, Spain
| | - M Reis
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, ao km 139,7, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
- Laboratório de Proteção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, ao km 139,7, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| | - L Silva
- Laboratório de Proteção e Segurança Radiológica, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa Campus Tecnológico e Nuclear, Estrada Nacional 10, ao km 139,7, Bobadela LRS, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Joel ES, Maxwell O, Adewoyin OO, Ehi-Eromosele CO, Saeed MA. Comparative Analysis of Natural Radioactivity Content in Tiles made in Nigeria and Imported Tiles from China. Sci Rep 2018; 8:1842. [PMID: 29382885 PMCID: PMC5789825 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20309-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In this investigation, natural radioactive contents in tiles manufactured in Nigeria and tiles imported from China were measured using gamma ray spectroscopy. High Purity Germanium detector was used to estimate the concentrations of some radioisotopes present in 17 samples of various tiles from Nigeria and China. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K for the tiles were found to be 68.2 ± 0.5; 173.9 ± 9.2 and 490 ± 15 Bq/kg and 58.2 ± 0.5, 161.5 ± 9.4 and 455.7 ± 15.1 Bq/kg for the tiles from Nigeria and China respectively. Radiological hazard indices such as absorbed dose rate, radium equivalent activity, external Hazard Index (Hex), internal Hazard Index (Hin), Annual Effective Dose (mSv/y), Gamma activity Index (Iγ) and Alpha Index (Iα) were determined for both kind of tiles from Nigeria and China. The mean values obtained were: 354.56 and 317.16 Bq/kg; 169.22 nGyh-1 and 153.92 nGyh-1; 0.95 and 0.87; 1.14 and 1.08; 1.59 mSv/y and 1.52 mSv/y; 1 and 1.15 and; 0.34 and 0.29 respectively. The mean value of radium equivalent obtained in this study is less than that of the international reference value of 370 Bq/kg for the both kind of tiles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E S Joel
- Department of Physics, Covenant University Ota, Ota, Nigeria.
| | - O Maxwell
- Department of Physics, Covenant University Ota, Ota, Nigeria
| | - O O Adewoyin
- Department of Physics, Covenant University Ota, Ota, Nigeria
| | | | - M A Saeed
- Division of Science and Technology, University of Education Township, Lahore, Pakistan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Joel E, Maxwell O, Adewoyin O, Ehi-Eromosele C, Embong Z, Oyawoye F. Assessment of natural radioactivity in various commercial tiles used for building purposes in Nigeria. MethodsX 2018; 5:8-19. [PMID: 29387568 PMCID: PMC5771965 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2017.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the activity concentration of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) for fifteen (15) different brands of tile samples used for building purposes in Nigeria. The tile samples were analyzed using High purity Germanium gamma detector. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were observed to be 61.1 ± 5.5 Bq/kg, 70.2 ± 6.08 Bq/kg and 514.7 ± 59.8 Bq/kg respectively. Various hazard indices such as absorbed dose rate, external and internal hazard index, annual effective dose rate, Gamma activity Index (Iγ) and Alpha Index (Iα) were calculated. The obtained results showed that the mean radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (D), external and internal hazard index, the annual effective dose (AEDR) equivalent, Gamma activity Index (Iγ) and Alpha Index (Iα) were: 204.42 Bq/kg, 177.61 nGyh-1, 0.55, 0.77, 0.96 mSvyr-1, 0.74 and 0.32 respectively. The average value of radium equivalent obtained in this study is less than that of the recommended value of 370 Bq/kg but the average values of the other radiological hazards for some samples are found to be slightly above international recommended values except Hex, Hin and AEDE which are within the international reference value of unity. The measured concentrations of these radioactive materials were correlated with other previous result obtained from similar tile materials used in other countries and found to be in good agreement with the international standard, however, the tiles are recommended for decoration purposes in Nigeria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- E.S. Joel
- Department of Physics, Covenant University Ota, Nigeria
| | - O. Maxwell
- Department of Physics, Covenant University Ota, Nigeria
| | - O.O. Adewoyin
- Department of Physics, Covenant University Ota, Nigeria
| | | | - Z. Embong
- Faculty of Applied Science and Teknologi, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn, Malaysia Pagoh Campus. km 1, Jalan Panchor 84600, Muar, Johor, Malaysia
| | - F. Oyawoye
- Department of Geosciences, University of Lagos, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Natural radioactivity and radiation hazards of building materials in Anhui Province, China. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s10967-014-3891-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
6
|
Qureshi AA, Ali M, Waheed A, Manzoor S, Siddique RUH, Ahmed Khan H. Assessment of radiological hazards of Lawrencepur sand, Pakistan using gamma spectrometry. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2013; 157:73-84. [PMID: 23630384 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The Lawrencepur sand had remained refrigerated during a long period of glaciations in the study area. Owing to its derivation from the granitic rocks of the Himalayas and its preservation under glacial environment, the sand grains are still fresh and may contain high level of primordial radioactivity. For that reason, radiological hazards of Lawrencepur sand were assessed using a high-purity germanium gamma spectrometry technique. The average activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were found to be 15.97±3.05, 27.98±4.89 and 498.20±15.91 Bq kg(-1), respectively. These values are higher than those of the sands of many countries of the world but lower than those of some of the Pakistani, Indian and Egyptian sands. The outdoor and indoor hazard indices and annual effective doses of the Lawrencepur sand are higher than those of some of the sand deposits of European, African and American countries but lower than those of nearby Pakistani and Indian sands. However, the hazard indices and annual effective doses of the Lawrencepur sand are within the safe limits. Overall, the Lawrencepur sand does not pose any radiological health hazard as a building material.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aziz Ahmed Qureshi
- Radiation Physics Laboratory, Physics Department, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Chak Shahzad, Park Road, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yang G, Lu X, Zhao C, Li N. Natural radioactivity in building materials used in Changzhi, China. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2013; 155:512-516. [PMID: 23407886 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The natural radioactivity levels of the commonly used building materials collected from Changzhi, China was analysed using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in the investigated building materials range from 14.6 to 131.2, from 9.9 to 138.8 and from 96.1 to 819.0 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The results were compared with the reported data of other countries and with the worldwide mean activity of soil. The external and internal hazard indices and gamma index were calculated to assess the radiation hazard to residents. The external hazard index of all building materials are less than unity, while the internal hazard and gamma indexes of hollow brick and gravel aggregate exceed unity. The study shows that the investigated hollow brick and gravel aggregate are not suitable for use as building materials in dwellings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guang Yang
- School of Tourism and Environment, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, People's Republic of China
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ding X, Lu X, Zhao C, Yang G, Li N. Measurement of natural radioactivity in building materials used in Urumqi, China. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2013; 155:374-379. [PMID: 23371370 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/nct002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Building materials contain natural radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K, which cause direct radiation exposure of the public. The concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in commonly used building materials of Urumqi, China have been analysed using gamma-ray spectrometry. The concentrations of (226)Ra, (40)K and (232)Th in the studied building materials range from 19.8 to 87.4, from 273.3 to 981.2 and from 11.6 to 47.7 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), gamma index (Iγ) and alpha index (Iα) were calculated to assess the radiation hazards to people living in dwellings made of the materials studied. The calculated Raeq values of all the building materials are lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg(-1) for building materials. The values of Iγ and Iα of all the building materials are less than unity. The study shows that these materials may be safely used as construction materials and do not pose significant radiation hazards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Ding
- School of Tourism and Environment, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, PR China
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lu X, Li N, Yang G, Zhao C. Assessment of natural radioactivity and radiological hazards in building materials used in Yan'an, China. HEALTH PHYSICS 2013; 104:325-331. [PMID: 23361428 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0b013e31827a7ea2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The concentration of natural radionuclides in commonly used building materials collected from Yan'an, China, was determined using gamma ray spectroscopy with a NaI(Tl) detector. The activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in the studied building materials ranges from 9.4-73.1, 11.5-86.9, and 258.9-1,055.1 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The concentrations for these natural radionuclides were compared with the reported data of other countries and the world mean values for soil. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), indoor air absorbed dose rate, and annual effective dose rate due to natural radionuclides in samples were estimated to assess radiological hazards for people living in dwellings made of the studied building materials. The calculated Raeq values of all building materials (75.7-222.1 Bq kg⁻¹) are lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg⁻¹. The values of Hex and Hin are less than unity. The mean values of indoor air absorbed dose rates of all building materials (101.0 ± 14.1-177.0 ± 6.8 nGy h⁻¹) are higher than the world population-weighted average of 84 nGy h⁻¹, while the mean values of annual effective dose range from 0.50 ± 0.07-0.87 ± 0.03 mSv y⁻¹, which are lower than the recommended limit of 1 mSv y⁻¹. It is found that these materials may be used safely as construction materials and do not pose significant radiation hazards to inhabitants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Lu
- School of Tourism and Environment, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, P.R. China.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Turhan Ş, Varinlioğlu A. Radioactivity measurement of primordial radionuclides in and dose evaluation from marble and glazed tiles used as covering building materials in Turkey. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2012; 151:546-555. [PMID: 22492819 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncs041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Measurements of the natural radioactivity arising from primordial radionuclides ((226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K) in marble and glazed tile samples used covering building materials in Turkey were carried out by gamma-ray spectrometer with a high purity germanium detector. The mean activity concentrations of the (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in marble and glazed tile samples were found as 8.2, 5.5 and 58.1 Bq kg(-1) and 81.2, 65.4 and 450.1 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The radiation doses received by occupants of buildings in which the sample marble and glazed tiles might be used are estimated using measured activity concentrations of constituent primordial radionuclides and dose conversion factors evaluated by the European Commission from models of tile use. Results obtained are presented for each radionuclide, analysed and compared with relevant national and international legislation, guidance and report, and with the results obtained from other studies. Results show that the use of such decorative building materials in the construction of domestic homes or workplaces in Turkey is unlikely to lead to any significant radiation exposure to the occupants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ş Turhan
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Letters, University of Nevsehir, 50300 Nevsehir, Turkey.
| | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Lu X, Yang G, Ren C. Natural radioactivity and radiological hazards of building materials in Xianyang, China. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2012.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
12
|
|
13
|
Abstract
Activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in 45 samples of different building materials used in Iraq were measured using gamma-spectroscopy system based on high-purity germanium detector with an efficiency of 40 %. Radium equivalent activity, air-absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indices and alpha index due to radon inhalation originating from building materials were measured to assess the potential radiological hazard associated with these building materials. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and 40K were found to range from below detection limit (BDL) to 223.7 ± 9, BDL to 93.0 ± 3 and BDL to 343.1 ± 12, respectively. Values of average radium equivalent activity, air-absorbed dose rate, indoor and outdoor annual effective doses, external and internal hazard indices and alpha index ranged from 6.5 to 124.9, 16.2 to 89.5 (nGy h(-1)), 0.08 to 0.44 mSv, 0.02-0.11 mSv, 0.09 to 0.53, 0.13 to 0.69 and 0.03 to 0.62, respectively. These values indicate a low dose. Therefore, the building materials used in the current study are quite safe to be used as building materials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamal K Ali
- College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Lu X, Li X, Yun P, Luo D, Wang L, Ren C, Chen C. Measurement of natural radioactivity and assessment of associated radiation hazards in soil around Baoji second coal-fired thermal power plant, China. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2012; 148:219-226. [PMID: 21324958 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncr016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in soil around Baoji Second coal-fired thermal power plant of China were determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in soil were found to be 40.3 ± 3.5, 59.6 ± 3.1 and 751.2 ± 12.4 Bq kg(-1), respectively, which are all higher than the corresponding average values in Shaanxi, Chinese and world soil. The radium equivalent activity (Ra(eq)), the air absorbed dose rate (D), the annual effective dose (E), the external hazard index (H(ex)) and internal hazard index (H(in)) were evaluated and compared with the internationally reported or reference values. All the soil samples have Ra(eq) lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg(-1) and H(ex) and H(in) less than unity. The overall mean outdoor terrestrial gamma air absorbed dose rate is ∼86.6 ± 3.4 nGy h(-1) and the corresponding outdoor annual effective dose is 0.106 ± 0.004 mSv, which is higher than the worldwide average (0.07 mSv y(-1)) for outdoor's annual effective dose.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinwei Lu
- School of Tourism and Environment, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710062, People's of Republic of China.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Malik F, Akram M, Rajput MU. Measurement of natural radioactivity in sand samples collected along the bank of rivers Indus and Kabul in northern Pakistan. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2011; 143:97-105. [PMID: 21062802 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncq356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Radioactivity is a part of the natural environment. The presence of natural radioactivity in sand and other building materials results in internal and external exposure to the general public. Therefore, it is desirable to determine the concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides, namely (232)Th, (226)Ra and (40)K in sand, bricks and cement which are commonly used as building materials in Pakistan. In this context, sand samples were collected from 18 different locations covering an area of ∼1000 km(2) along the banks of river Indus (Ghazi to Jabba) and river Kabul (Nowshera to Kund) in the northern part of Pakistan, whereas bricks and cement samples were collected from local suppliers of the studied area. In order to measure the specific activities in these samples, a P-type coaxial high-purity germanium-based gamma-ray spectrometer was used. In sand samples, the average specific activities of (226)Ra, (232)Th, and (40)K were found to be 30.5±11.4, 53.2±19.5 and 531±49 Bq kg(-1), whereas in brick samples, specific activities of 30±14, 41±21 and 525±183 Bq kg(-1) were observed, respectively. In cement samples, measured specific activity values were 21±5, 14±3 and 231±30 Bq kg(-1), respectively. Radium equivalent activities were calculated and found to be 143.8±38.6, 124±49.8 and 56.69±7 Bq kg(-1) for sand, brick and cement samples, respectively. The annual mean effective dose for the studied sand samples was found to be 0.40 mSv. External and internal hazard indices were less than unity for all the studied samples. The present results have been compared with those reported in the literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- F Malik
- Physics Division, PINSTECH, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Turhan S. Radiological impacts of the usability of clay and kaolin as raw material in manufacturing of structural building materials in Turkey. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2009; 29:75-83. [PMID: 19225184 DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/29/1/005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study is to measure the natural radioactivity due to the presence of radionuclides in clay and kaolin, used widely as raw materials in ceramics, bricks and cement industries, and to assess the possible radiological hazards associated with these raw materials. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in 50 samples collected from different quarries were measured by means of gamma-ray spectrometry with an HPGe detector. The mean values of the measured activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K for clay samples were found to be 39.3 +/- 22.7 Bq kg(-1), 49.6 +/- 27.9 Bq kg(-1) and 569.5 +/- 181.0 Bq kg(-1), and for kaolin samples 82.0 +/- 37.3 Bq kg(-1), 94.8 +/- 49.2 Bq kg(-1) and 463.6 +/- 544.9 Bq kg(-1), respectively. These levels are comparable to those appearing in clays of European countries. The radium equivalent activity and the external (gamma) and internal (alpha) hazard indices were calculated to assess the potential radiological hazard. The calculated gamma and alpha indices varied from 0.19 to 1.17 and from 0.04 to 0.47 for clay samples and from 0.36 to 1.75 and from 0.08 to 0.63, respectively. The mean value of the gamma index for the clay samples (0.57 +/- 0.24) is slightly above the criterion of 0.5 corresponding to an annual effective dose of 0.3 mSv, while the mean value of the gamma index for the kaolin samples (0.90 +/- 0.49) is below the criterion of unity corresponding to an annual effective dose of 1 mSv. The calculated alpha index values for all samples are below the recommended upper level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seref Turhan
- Sarayköy Nuclear Research and Training Center, 06983 Saray, Ankara, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|