scholarly journals 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K activities and associated radiological hazards in building materials of Islamabad capital territory, Pakistan

2012 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-398 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Rahman ◽  
Muhammad Rafique

Radioactivity levels in building materials, collected from the Islamabad capital territory have been determined by using a gamma spectrometric technique. Measured specific activities of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in material samples ranged from 8 ? 1 to 116 ? 6 Bq/kg, 9 ? 1 to 152 ? ? 5 Bq/kg, and 29 ? 6 to 974 ? 23 Bq/kg, respectively. The radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, and gamma index were evaluated from the measured amounts of radioactivity to assess the radiation hazard associated with the studied building materials. The mean radium equivalent activity, the absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose estimated ranged from 81 ? 6 to 221 ? 11 Bq/kg, 38 ? 3 to 104 ? 5 nGy/h, and 0.23 ? 0.02 to 0.64 ? 0.03 mSv, respectively. The ranges of the calculated Raeq were found to be lower than the values recommended for construction materials (370 Bq/kg). The mean values of the internal and external hazard indices were found in the range of 0.30 ? 0.02 to 0.78 ? 0.05 and 0.22 ? 0.02 to 0.60 ? 0.03, respectively. The results of the materials examined indicate no significant radiological hazards arise from using such material in building construction.

2020 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 316-321
Author(s):  
Fei Tuo ◽  
Xuan Peng ◽  
Qiang Zhou ◽  
Jing Zhang

Abstract Radioactivity of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were measured in a total of 92 samples, including eight commonly used types of building materials that were obtained from local manufacturers and suppliers in Beijing. Concentrations were determined using high-purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometry. The 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K activity concentrations in all samples varied from 10.1 to 661, 3.3 to 555 and 3.2 to 2945 Bq per kg with an average of 127.8, 114.8, and 701.5 Bq per kg, respectively. The potential radiological hazards were estimated by calculating the absorbed dose rate (D), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard (Hex), and internal hazard (Hin) indices. The investigated building materials were classified into different types according to the radioactivity levels. Results from this research will provide a reference for the acquisition, sales, and use of building materials. Attention should be paid to the use of coal cinder brick, ceramic, and granite in the construction of dwellings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-73
Author(s):  
Ivana Vukanac ◽  
Marija Jankovic ◽  
Milica Rajacic ◽  
Dragana Todorovic ◽  
Predrag Ujic ◽  
...  

Various imported building materials commonly used in construction and industry in Serbia were analyzed using gamma spectrometry. Based on the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the investigated samples, radium equivalent activity, Raeq, absorbed dose rate, D, annual effective dose, DE, and the external hazard index, Hex, were calculated to assess the radiation hazard for people. The Raeq for most of the analyzed samples (416 in total) was lower than the maximum admissible value of 370 Bqkg-1 set in the UNSCEAR report. The absorbed gamma dose rate in air was found to vary from 0.030 mGyh-1 to 1.328 mGyh-1 which in some cases exceeded indoor dose rates in Europe. The obtained values for annual effective dose exceed the limits of 0.41 mSv given in literature for about 5 % of measured samples, while values of Hex were higher than unity for three samples of cement, eight samples of granite, and one sand sample. As a possible source of elevated effective dose, the radon exhalation from building materials was estimated using the parameters given in literature. The internal dose due to 222Rn exhaled from the building material was found to be up to nine times higher than external dose due to 226Ra content in some cases.


Author(s):  
A. Ibitola, Gilbert ◽  
Ajanaku Olanrewaju ◽  
Ilori, Abiola Olawale ◽  
R. O. Aremu ◽  
I. A. A. Omosebi

The aim of this present study is to collect soil samples and some commonly consumed food materials in Ondo State, Nigeria such as tubers (cassava, Manihot esculent and yam, Dioscorea alata) samples and vegetables (waterleaf, Talinium triangulare and bitter leaf, Vernonia amygdalina) samples at some selected locations in Okitipupa, Ondo state, Southwestern, Nigeria in order to determine the following natural radionuclides (40K, 238U and 232Th) levels using a well calibrated NaI(TI) which is well shielded with a detector coupled to a computer resident quantum MCA2100R Multichannel. The transfer factors, annual absorbed dose rate and the annual effective dose in the samples collected were estimated. The results showed that the measured natural radionuclides were present in the mean concentrations of 323.79 ± 12.45 Bqkg-1, 81.87 ± 45.30 Bqkg-1 and 57.62 ± 18.04 Bqkg-1 for 40K; 11.76 ± 36.03 Bqkg-1, 4.67 ± 10.12 Bqkg-1 and 3.45 ± 2.10 Bqkg-1 for 238U and 9.66 ± 0.89 Bqkg-1, 3.07 ± 2.45 Bqkg-1  and 2.45 ± 0.92 Bqkg-1  for 232Th for soil, yam and cassava samples respectively. The results also showed that the radionuclides were present in the concentrations of 11.76 ± 36.03 Bqkg-1 and 9.66 ± 0.89 Bqkg-1 for 40K; 9.67 ± 8.53 Bqkg-1 and 7.87 ± 1.89 Bqkg-1 for 238U and 8.63 ± 6.08 Bqkg-1 and 6.58 ± 0.76 Bqkg-1 for 232Th for waterleaf and bitter leaf samples respectively. The soil-to-yam transfer factors were found to be 0.26, 0.40 and 0.32 for 40K, 238U and 232Th and soil-to-cassava yam transfer factors were found to be 0.18, 0.29 and 0.25 for 40K, 238U and 232Th respectively. The soil-to-waterleaf transfer factors were found to be 0.37, 0.82 and 0.82 for 40K, 238U and 232Th while the soil-to-bitter leaf transfer factors were found to be 0.32, 0.74 and 0.68 for 40K, 238U and 232Th respectively. The mean absorbed dose rate was 25.08 ± 0.57  and the mean annual outdoor effective dose was 46.17 . The annual effective dose reported for this present study area represents 65.95% of the world average value of 70.00 and 47.11% of Nigeria value of 98.00 mSvy-1  


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Wasim ◽  
Sardar Ali Shah ◽  
Arfan Tariq ◽  
Manzoor Ali

Abstract Distribution of natural and anthropogenic radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 137Cs and 40K) was determined in 32 samples from Ghizer, an Eastern Hindukush district at an altitude of 2286 m in Pakistan using high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. Mineralogical analysis by X-ray diffractometry identified quartz, calcite, albite and anorthite as major phases whereas actinolite, chlorite serpentine and kaolinite as minor phases. The activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th, 137Cs and 40K varied from 25.2 ± 1.7 to 145.3 ± 10.1 Bq kg−1, 24.9 ± 1.1 to 197 ± 9 Bq kg−1, 2.03 ± 0.21 to 16.7 ± 1.1 and 252 ± 6 to 1433 ± 35 Bq kg−1, respectively. The samples yielded average radium equivalent activity as 178.4 ± 23.3 Bq kg−1. The majority of the samples revealed external hazard index and representative level index less than one. The average air absorbed dose rate was 91.2 ± 13.6 nGy h−1 corresponding to the annual effective dose rate 111.8 ± 17.4 μSv y−1. These values were higher than the world averages for air absorbed dose rate and outdoor annual effective dose rate. Principal component analysis was applied to obtain distribution pattern within the samples and among the radionuclides.


2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 265-278 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Penabei ◽  
D. Bongue ◽  
P. Maleka ◽  
T. Dlamini ◽  
Saïdou ◽  
...  

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.


1970 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
KA Kabir ◽  
SMA Islam ◽  
MM Rahman

This paper presents the first reports on the natural and anthropogenic radionuclides in soil and sediment of Jessore, a south-western district of Bangladesh. Surface soil and freshwater sediment were collected from in and around some major water-bodies of this district. To assess the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity, the absorbed dose rate, and the external and internal hazard indices were calculated. In the soil and sediment in general, the activity concentration of 232Th was found to be higher than that of  226Ra, while that of 40K markedly exceeds the values of both 226Ra and 232Th. The average activities of 226Ra and 232Th in this area were found to be higher than the world average. There was no activity due to fallout (137Cs) in this area. The radium equivalent activity and the absorbed dose rate due to the natural radionuclides were found to be respectively lower and higher than the world average. The external and internal hazard indices were found to be well below the hazard limit of unity. Our results compare fairly well with other published results.  Key words: Soil, Sediment, Natural lake, Radioactivity, Dose rate DOI: 10.3329/jbas.v33i1.2956 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 33, No. 1, 117-130, 2009


2017 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 193
Author(s):  
Sonexay Xayheungsy ◽  
Le Hong Khiem ◽  
Le Dai Nam

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (S1-Feb) ◽  
pp. 97-103
Author(s):  
Niranjan R S ◽  
Ningappa C ◽  
Nandakumar V ◽  
Harshavardhana C N

All individual living beings on the earth are exposed continuously to the radiations coming from terrestrial and extraterrestrial sources and also from their own bodies. The indoor and outdoor ambient gamma radiations are measured in and around Nuggihalli- Holenarasipura schist belts of Hassan district in Karnataka state. The measurements are carried out using the environment radiation dosimeter UR 705 which is a portable detector. Absorbed dose rate and annual effective dose rate are estimated by measuring the exposure rate. The total annual effective dose calculated from both indoor and outdoor varies from 0.68 to1.62 mSv.y-1 with an average value of 1.16 mSv.y-1. The calculated indoor and outdoor annual effective doses are found to be higher than the world average.


2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heiyam Najy Majeed ◽  
Ali . K. Hasan

Al-Najaf Al-Ashraf city on of the most important cities in Iraqi country it was chosen as the cultural Islamic capital for 2012 by the Islamic world ,Kufa university will be played big role of liability, cultural and education efficacies, this city had been exposed to artillery bombard expand along different areas in 1991 and 2003 in our research we try to test the studying area to know The total absorbed dose rate and the most possible hazards for this reasons the study was done. The natural radiation of thirty two samples of soil which collected randomly in June 2012 from the new Kufa University location were measured using Na(Tl) detection. The mean values activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K was (25.73±11.23 , 3.72±0.81 and 165.16±9.39 ) Bq kg-1 respectively . The highest value of the Radium equivalent activity was (30.870) Bq.kg–1 in (S2) which mean that all the soil samples values lower than (370Bq kg-1) the world average . External and internal hazard and gamma activity concentration (representative level index) indexes were lower than unity for all samples . The average value of absorbed dose rate calculated from activity concentration of 238U , 232Th and 40K was (20.553) nGy h-1 this value coincident to recommended. Annual effective dose in (?Sv/y) varies from (36.912) (?Sv/y) in (S15) to (15.460) (?Sv/y) in (S8) , all the soil samples have the annual effective dose less than the world average 460 (?Sv/y). The results can be consider as base values for distribution of natural radionuclides in the region and will be used as references information to assess any changed in the radioactive background level due to geological processes.


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