scholarly journals Determination of 226Ra in TENORM Sample Considering Radon Leakage Correction

2021 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 127-133
Author(s):  
Sooyeon Lim ◽  
Nur Syamsi Syam ◽  
Seongjin Maeng ◽  
Sang Hoon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Spectrometry ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Activity Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Radioactive Material ◽  
Activity Measurement ◽  
Calculated Concentration ◽  
Natural Concentration ◽  
226Ra Activity ◽  
226Ra Activity Concentration

Background: Phosphogypsum is material produced as a byproduct in fertilizer industry and is generally used for building materials. This material may contain enhanced radium-226 (226Ra) activity concentration compared to its natural concentration that may lead to indoor radon accumulation. Therefore, an accurate measurement method is proposed in this study to determine 226Ra activity concentration in phosphogypsum sample, considering the potential radon leakage from the sample container.Materials and Methods: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) phosphogypsum reference material was used as a sample in this study. High-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry was used to measure the activity concentration of the 226Ra decay products, i.e., 214Bi and 214Pb. Marinelli beakers sealed with three different sealing methods were used as sample containers. Due to the potential leakage of radon from the Marinelli beaker (MB), correction to the activity concentration resulted in gamma spectrometry is needed. Therefore, the leaked fraction of radon escaped from the sample container was calculated and added to the gamma spectrometry measured values.Results and Discussion: Total activity concentration of 226Ra was determined by summing up the activity concentration from gamma spectrometry measurement and calculated concentration from radon leakage correction method. The results obtained from 214Bi peak were 723.4 ± 4.0 Bq· kg-1 in MB1 and 719.2 ± 3.5 Bq· kg-1 in MB2 that showed about 5% discrepancy compared to the certified activity. Besides, results obtained from 214Pb peak were 741.9 ± 3.6 Bq· kg-1 in MB1 and 740.1 ± 3.4 Bq· kg-1 in MB2 that showed about 2% difference compared to the certified activity measurement of 226Ra concentration activity.Conclusion: The results show that radon leakage correction was calculated with insignificant discrepancy to the certified values and provided improvement to the gamma spectrometry. Therefore, measuring 226Ra activity concentration in TENORM (technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive material) sample using radon leakage correction can be concluded as a convenient and accurate method that can be easily conducted with simple calculation.

scholarly journals Analytical study of 226Ra activity concentration in market consuming foodstuffs of Ramsar, Iran

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Gooniband Shooshtari ◽  
M. R. Deevband ◽  
M. R. Kardan ◽  
N. Fathabadi ◽  
A. A. Salehi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Analytical Study ◽  
Activity Concentration ◽  
226Ra Activity ◽  
226Ra Activity Concentration

scholarly journals MEASUREMENT OF RADON ACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN BUILDING MATERIALS USED IN BOSNIA AND HERCEGOVINA

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ema Sinanović ◽  
Feriz Adrović ◽  
Amira Kasumović ◽  
Amela Kasić
Keyword(s):  
Ionizing Radiation ◽  
Bosnia And Herzegovina ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Activity Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Indoor Exposure ◽  
Radon Activity ◽  
Materials Used

Man is continuously exposed to ionizing radiation because of the presence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in the environment. Various technological processes of processing and using of materials that contain natural radionuclides generate materials of enhanced natural radioactivity (TENORM). The largest contribution to irradiance with natural sources of ionizing radiation is the exposure of the population to indoor radon. This gas originates from the radioactive decay of 226Ra and 224Ra that are present in the soil under houses and building materials. Depending on the type of building materials, indoor exposure to radon at dwellings and workplaces can be over a thousand times greater than in outdoor space. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, no valid and comprehensive radiological studies on the building materials have been performed that would guarantee for their dosimetric safety use for installation in residential and industrial buildings, highways, as well as their application for other purposes. The quantification of the radon levels that comes from building materials is a necessary and very important part of the global protection of the population from ionizing radiation. This paper presents the first results of a study on the radon activity concentrations in building materials used in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Measurements were performedwith a professional Alpha GUARD system. The mean values of the activity concentration of the exhaled radon of investigated building materials varied from 10 Bqm-3 to 101 Bqm-3, radon exhalation rate values ranged from 77.0 mBqm-2h-1 to 777.7 mBqm-2h-1. Gamma dose rate was in the range 57–112 nSv h−1.

NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY OF THE CRYSTALLINE BASEMENT ROCKS OF THE PELORITANI MOUNTAINS (NORTH-EASTERN SICILY, ITALY): MEASUREMENTS AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARD

2020 ◽  
Vol 191 (4) ◽  
pp. 452-464
Author(s):  
D Romano ◽  
F Caridi ◽  
M Di Bella ◽  
F Italiano ◽  
S Magazù ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Radiation ◽  
Effective Dose ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Activity Concentration ◽  
Annual Effective Dose ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Crystalline Rocks ◽  
Crystalline Basement ◽  
Radon Emanation ◽  
Potential Hazard

Abstract Crystalline rocks can produce dangerous radiation levels on the basis of their content in radioisotopes. Here, we report radiological data from 10 metamorphic and igneous rock samples collected from the crystalline basement of the Peloritani Mountains (southern Italy). In order to evaluate the radiological properties of these rocks, the gamma radiation and the radon emanation have been measured. Moreover, since some of these rocks are employed as building materials, we assess the potential hazard for population connected to their use. Gamma spectroscopy was used to measure the 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentration, whereas the radon emanation was investigated by using a RAD 7 detector. The results show 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentration values ranging from (17 ± 4) to (56 ± 8) Bq kg−1, (14 ± 3) to (77 ± 14) Bq kg−1 and (167 ± 84) to (1760 ± 242) Bq kg−1, respectively. Values of the annual effective dose equivalent outdoor range from 0.035 to 0.152 mSv y−1, whereas the gamma index is in the range of 0.22–0.98. The 222Rn emanation coefficient and the 222Rn surface exhalation rate vary from (0.63 ± 0.3) to (8.27 ± 1.6)% and from (0.12 ± 0.03) to (2.75 ± 0.17) Bq m−2 h−1, respectively. The indoor radon derived from the building use of these rocks induces an approximate contribution to the annual effective dose ranging from 8 to 176 μSv y−1. All the obtained results suggest that the crystalline rocks from the Peloritani Mountains are not harmful for the residential population, even though they induce annual effective doses due to terrestrial gamma radiation above the worldwide average values. Moreover, their use as building materials does not produce significant health hazards connected to the indoor radon exposure.

scholarly journals Using a scale model room to assess the contribution of building material of volcanic origin to indoor radon

Nukleonika ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
Carlo Lucchetti ◽  
Mauro Castelluccio ◽  
Matteo Altamore ◽  
Alessandra Briganti ◽  
Gianfranco Galli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ambient Temperature ◽  
Building Material ◽  
Radon Concentration ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Activity Concentration ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Scale Model ◽  
Indoor Radon Concentration ◽  
Volcanic Origin ◽  
Model Room

AbstractIn the frame of Radon rEal time monitoring System and Proactive Indoor Remediation (RESPIRE), a LIFE 2016 project funded by the European Commission, the contribution of building materials of volcanic origin to indoor radon concentration was investigated. First, total gamma radiation and related outdoor dose rates of geological materials in the Caprarola area (Central Italy) were measured to define main sources of radiation. Second, 222Rn and 220Rn exhalation rates of these rocks used as building materials were measured using an accumulation chamber connected in a closed loop with a RAD7 radon monitor. Among others, the very porous “Tufo di Gallese” ignimbrite provided the highest values. This material was then used to construct a scale model room of 62 cm × 50 cm × 35 cm (inner length × width × height, respectively) to assess experimental radon and thoron activity concentration at equilibrium and study the effects of climatic conditions and different coatings on radon levels. A first test was carried out at ambient temperature to determine experimental 222Rn and 220Rn equilibrium activities in the model room, not covered with plaster or other coating materials. Experimental 222Rn equilibrium was recorded in just two days demonstrating that the room “breaths”, exchanging air with the outdoor environment. This determines a dilution of indoor radon concentration. Other experiments showed that inner covers (such as plasterboard and different kinds of paints) partially influence 222Rn but entirely cut the short-lived 220Rn. Finally, decreases in ambient temperature reduce radon exhalation from building material and, in turn, indoor activity concentration.

scholarly journals Radioactive nuclides in phosphogypsum from the lowveld region of South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol Volume 112 (Number 1/2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xolani Msila ◽  
Frans Labuschagne ◽  
Werner Barnard ◽  
David G. Billing ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Concentration Index ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Activity Concentration ◽  
Final Decision ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Radioactive Nuclides ◽  
Radium Equivalent ◽  
Activity Concentration Index

Abstract We evaluated the suitability of phosphogypsum from the Lowveld region of South Africa (LSA), for the manufacturing of building materials, with reference to (1) the National Nuclear Regulator Act 47 of 1999 and (2) the radioactivity associated risks as quantified in terms of the external and internal hazard indices, the activity concentration index and the radium equivalent. The distribution of radioactive nuclides in the LSA phosphogypsum was also examined. Analyses of 19 samples of the phosphogypsum show that phosphogypsum contains lower activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive nuclides of uranium and thorium and their progeny than the 500 Bg/kg limit set for regulation in South Africa. The potassium-40 (40K) activity concentration was below the minimum detectable amount of 100 Bq/kg. The values obtained for external and internal hazard indices and the activity concentration index were: 2.12 0.59, 3.44 0.64 and 2.65 0.76 respectively. The calculated radium equivalent Raeq was 513 76Bq/kg. The final decision regarding phosphogypsum’s suitability for use as a building material should consider scenarios of use.

scholarly journals Test spectra experimental construction for evaluating gamma-spectrometry computer codes for the 235U determination

2014 ◽  
Vol 29 (suppl.) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Karfopoulos ◽  
Dimitrios Karangelos ◽  
Marios Anagnostakis ◽  
Simos Simopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Spectrometry ◽  
Energy Region ◽  
Environmental Samples ◽  
Activity Concentration ◽  
Germanium Detector ◽  
Computer Code ◽  
High Background ◽  
Spectrometry Analysis ◽  
Background Continuum ◽  
Concentration Levels

The determination of 235U in environmental samples from its 185.72 keV photons may require the deconvolution of the multiplet photopeak at ~186 keV, due to the co-existence of the 186.25 keV photons of 226Ra in the spectrum. Successful deconvolution depends on many parameters, such as the detector characteristics, the activity concentration of the 235U and 226Ra in the sample, the background continuum in the 186 keV energy region and the gamma-spectrometry computer code used. In this work two sets of experimental test spectra were constructed for examining the deconvolution of the multiplet photopeak performed by different codes. For the construction of the test spectra, a high-resolution low energy germanium detector was used. The first series consists of 140 spectra and simulates environmental samples containing various activity concentration levels of 235U and 226Ra. The second series consists of 280 spectra and has been derived by adding 137Cs, corresponding to various activity concentration levels, to specific first series test spectra. As the 137Cs backscatter edge is detected in the energy region of the multiplet photopeak at ~186 keV, this second series of test spectra tests the analysis of the multiplet photopeak in high background continuum conditions. The analysis of the test spectra is performed by two different g-spectrometry analysis codes: (a) spectrum unix analysis code, a computer code developed in-house and (b) analysis of germanium detector spectra, a program freely available from the IAEA. The results obtained by the two programs are compared in terms of photopeak detection and photopeak area determination.

scholarly journals Radon monitoring in a historical building in Košice city, Slovakia – a case study

2021 ◽  
Vol 900 (1) ◽  
pp. 012040
Author(s):  
E Singovszká ◽  
A Eštoková ◽  
M Vertaľ
Keyword(s):  
Human Exposure ◽  
Continuous Monitoring ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Indoor Radon ◽  
Research Topic ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Historical Building ◽  
Limit Value ◽  
Radon Monitoring

Abstract It is known that the highest contribution to the yearly radiation dose for the population derives from natural radioactivity. About 50% of that is estimated to be caused by exposure to radon (Rn) and its products. Human exposure to indoor Rn is currently considered a relevant research topic, because of the associated epidemiological aspects. This paper aimed at Rn concentration measurement in a selected building in Košice city, Slovakia. The continuous monitoring of indoor radon levels was performed over a period of 40 days. The measured concentrations ranged in a wide interval up to 92 Bq/m3. The WHO limit value of 100 Bq/m3 wasn´t exceeded. Analysing the possible sources, both contributions of radon from the building materials and radon from the soil was observed.

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