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

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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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 of finish and masonry materials

MATEC Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/matecconf/201819604064 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 196 ◽

pp. 04064 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Daria Buzina ◽

Igor Engovatov ◽

Dinh Dap Nguyen ◽

Artur Ovakimyan

Keyword(s):

Comparative Analysis ◽

Dose Rate ◽

Natural Radioactivity ◽

Building Materials ◽

Radiation Safety ◽

Specific Radioactivity ◽

Equivalent Dose ◽

Flow Density ◽

Equivalent Dose Rate ◽

Research Findings

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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EQUIVALENT DOSE RATE OF IONIZING RADIATION ABOVE WATER RESERVOIRS IN VILNIUS

Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management ◽

10.3846/16486897.2004.9636817 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 12 (2) ◽

pp. 53-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Milda Pečiulienė ◽

Dainius Jasaitis ◽

Gražina Grigaliūnaitė-Vonsevičienė ◽

Aloyzas Girgždys

Keyword(s):

Dose Rate ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Soil Surface ◽

Open Water ◽

Measuring Method ◽

Equivalent Dose ◽

Water Reservoirs ◽

Equivalent Dose Rate ◽

Rivers And Lakes ◽

Gps System

The paper discusses search of possible pollution sources of natural radionuclides; the measuring method (using the GPS system) of the equivalent dose rate of the environment is introduced; the equivalent dose rate of water reservoirs of Vilnius is measured; the values and variations of equivalent dose rate are evaluated; it is found that the values cover the range from 10 nSv/h to 85 nSv/h; it is noticed that the values measured above water are distinctly less than the equivalent dose rate above the soil surface; comparative analysis between the equivalent dose rate of open water reservoirs of Vilnius and other rivers and lakes of Lithuania is carried out.

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CHANGES OF IONIZING RADIATION CAUSED BY NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN THE CURONIAN SPIT

Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management ◽

10.3846/16486897.2005.9636844 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 37-42 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Milda Pečiuliene ◽

Dainius Jasaitis ◽

Gražina Grigaliūnaite-Vonsevičiene ◽

Aloyzas Girgždys

Keyword(s):

Ionizing Radiation ◽

Gamma Radiation ◽

Dose Rate ◽

Natural Radionuclides ◽

Ground Surface ◽

Equivalent Dose ◽

Curonian Spit ◽

Equivalent Dose Rate ◽

Dose Rates ◽

Numerous Data

Taking into consideration a unique scenery of the Curonian Spit, dosimetric investigation of ionizing radiation caused by natural radionuclides is performed there. The influence of natural radionuclides present in the ground on the equivalent dose rate of gamma radiation in the ground surface air is established. Measurements of equivalent dose rate are carried out in the whole territory of the Curonian Spit in Lithuania. Especially numerous data have been collected on the coasts of the sea and bay, near them, in seaside dunes and by roads. The established equivalent dose rate values vary from 22 nSv/h (on the dune top) to 90 nSv/h (above an asphalt path). The values of the main gamma radiation source (40K and 226Ra) concentration are measured, and positive correlation of concentrations and equivalent dose rates in the ground surface air between 40K and 226Ra is determinated. It is established that 40K has the biggest influence on equivalent dose rate. The equivalent dose rate values in the ground surface air in the Curonian Spit are comparatively low (they can even be 1630 times lower in comparison to Guarapari beach, Brazil).

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