Natural radioactivity of finish and masonry materials

Research findings of natural radioactivity of materials widely used in industrial and civil construction, are presented. The research is carried out according complex techniques which include measurement and calculation of radiation parameters establishing natural radioactivity of materials – specific radioactivity of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K, summarised specific radioactivity, equivalent dose rate and radon flow density. Finish and masonry materials were used as principle objects of the research. The obtained findings allow to make a conclusion that all the studied materials are related to the first class and may be used unrestricted. Comparison with foreign data is provided. Correlation between radiation parameters is established. The data received may be deployed for comparative analysis of the Russian and European approaches to assessment of radiation safety to use the studied types of building materials.

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Radiation Dose Estimation of Cement Samples Used in Lao PDR

Communications in Physics ◽

10.15625/0868-3166/27/3/10034 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 193

Author(s):

Sonexay Xayheungsy ◽

Le Hong Khiem ◽

Le Dai Nam

Keyword(s):

Effective Dose ◽

Dose Rate ◽

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Lao Pdr ◽

Specific Radioactivity ◽

Weighted Average ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Radium Equivalent Activity

The natural radioactivity due to presence of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides in Lao PDR cements was measured for first time using a gamma-spectrometry with HPGe detector. Two different types of cement produced by 4 local cement companies in Lao PDR have been investigated. The specific radioactivity of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the investigated samples ranged from 24.83 ± 1.18 to 54.39 ± 5.90 Bq kg-1 with a mean of 37.76 ± 10.71 Bq kg-1, 6.63 ± 1.59 to 21.17 ± 0.48 Bq kg-1 with a mean of 13.77 ± 5.85 Bq kg-1 and 43.28 ± 7.68 to 168.70 ± 3.34 Bq kg-1 with a mean of 116.07 ± 47.50 Bq kg-1, respectively. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the gamma-index, the external and internal hazard indices, Absorb Dose Rate in Air (D) and Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE) were estimated for the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in all cement samples. The obtained results were compared with the corresponding values for cement of different countries. The calculated Raeq values of Lao PDR samples are lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg-1 set fo building materials. The mean indoor absorbed dose rate is slightly lower than the population-weighted average of 84 nGy h-1 while the corresponding effective dose was 79% less than the dose ft of 1 mSv y-1. The results obtained in this study show no significant radiological hazards arising from using Lao PDR cement for construction of houses.

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EVALUATION OF FLUCTUATION OF EQUIVALENT DOSE RATE DUE TO RADIONUCLIDE RADIATION IN BUILDINGS

Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management ◽

10.3846/16486897.2006.9636899 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 207-213 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Milda Pečiulienė ◽

Gražina Grigaliūnaitė-Vonsevičienė ◽

Aloyzas Girgždys

Keyword(s):

Ionizing Radiation ◽

Dose Rate ◽

Building Materials ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Equivalent Dose ◽

Natural Background ◽

Empirical Dependence ◽

Equivalent Dose Rate ◽

Natural Gamma ◽

Gamma Field

Radionuclide gamma radiation in building materials twist natural gamma field, therefore, dosimetry investigation of ionizing radiation of natural radionuclides was carried out near various building constructions. It was detected that equivalent dose rate of natural radionuclides increases exponentially (this empirical dependence stays in force to 10–15 meters from a building) while approaching a building under investigation. It was measured that buildings increase ionizing radiation approximately 1,5–2 times. Wooden buildings are an exception. They change natural background to 5 %. The values of equivalent dose rate in buildings are distributed according to Gaussian distribution. The measured equivalent dose rate is 1,5 times smaller in wooden houses then in block, silicate and ceramic bricks houses.

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Natural Radioactivity and Radon Exhalation from Building Materials in Underground Parking Lots

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11167475 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (16) ◽

pp. 7475

Author(s):

Dainius Jasaitis ◽

Milda Pečiulienė

Keyword(s):

Dose Rate ◽

Building Materials ◽

Activity Concentration ◽

Gamma Spectroscopy ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Equivalent Dose ◽

Strong Positive Correlation ◽

Radon Exhalation ◽

Parking Lots ◽

Equivalent Dose Rate

The change of natural ionizing radiation and the radon exhalation rates from typical building materials in underground parking lots are presented in the article. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K in six important types of construction materials, which are mostly used in Lithuania, were analyzed using high-resolution gamma spectroscopy. The highest values were found in concrete and ferroconcrete samples: 226Ra 44 and 90 Bq kg−1; 232Th 29 and 34 Bq kg−1; 40K 581 and 603 Bq kg−1. A strong positive correlation (0.88) was observed between radium activity concentration and radon concentration. The activity indexes (Iα and Iγ) and radium equivalent activity (Req) evaluating the suitability of materials for such constructions from the view of radiation safety were determined. The average values of the calculated absorbed dose rate in samples ranged from 18.24 nGy h−1 in the sand to 87.26 nGy h−1 in ferroconcrete. The calculated annual effective dose was below the limit of 1.0 mSv y−1. The values of the external and internal hazards index (Hex and Hin) were all below unity, and the values of Iγ and Iα were below the recommended levels of 0.5 and 1. Dosimetric analysis of underground parking lots was carried out. It was determined that the external equivalent dose rate caused by the 222Rn progeny radiation in the underground car parking lots varies from 17 to 30% of the total equivalent dose rate.

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Equivalent dose rate by muons to the human body

Radiation Protection Dosimetry ◽

10.1093/rpd/ncq460 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 147 (3) ◽

pp. 380-385 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

I. Bacioiu

Keyword(s):

Dose Rate ◽

Human Body ◽

Equivalent Dose ◽

Equivalent Dose Rate

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Assessment of natural radioactivity levels and the associated radiological hazards in some building materials from Mayo-Kebbi region, Chad

Radioprotection ◽

10.1051/radiopro/2018030 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

pp. 265-278 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

S. Penabei ◽

D. Bongue ◽

P. Maleka ◽

T. Dlamini ◽

Saïdou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dose Rate ◽

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Hazard Index ◽

Absorbed Dose ◽

Radiation Hazard ◽

Absorbed Dose Rate ◽

Activity Concentrations ◽

Radiological Hazards ◽

Radiation Hazard Index

In order to assess the levels of natural radioactivity and the associated radiological hazards in some building materials of the Mayo-Kebbi region (Chad), a total of nineteen samples were collected on the field. Using a high resolution γ-ray spectrometry system, the activity concentrations of radium (226Ra), thorium (232Th) and potassium (40K) in these samples have been determined. The measured average activity concentrations range from 0.56 ± 0.37 Bq kg−1 to 435 ± 7 Bq kg−1, 1.3 ± 0.6 Bq kg−1 to 50.6 ± 1.1 Bq kg−1 and 4.3 ± 2.0 Bq kg−1 to 840 ± 9 Bq kg−1, for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. The highest 226Ra average activities is found in soil brick samples of Zabili. The highest mean value of 232Th and 40K concentrations are found in soil brick samples of Madajang. The activity concentration and the radium equivalent activity (Raeq) have been compared to other studies done elsewhere in the world. Their average values are lower than most of those of countries with which the comparison has been made. Were also evaluated, the external radiation hazard index, the internal radiation hazard index, the indoor air absorbed dose rate, the outdoor air absorbed dose rate, the activity utilization index, the annual effective dose, the annual gonadal dose equivalent, the representative level index, as well as, the excess lifetime cancer risk. In accordance with the criterion of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, our results show that soil brick samples of Zabili and Madajang increases the risk of radiation exposure, thereby the possibility of developing cancer by people living in this environment. Based on these findings, brick samples from Zabili and Madajang are not recommended for construction purposes. All other sample materials have properties that are acceptable for use as building materials in terms of radiation hazard.

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