Making radioactivity measurements on building materials accessible to everyone

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Serafini ◽  
Matteo Alberi ◽  
Pierluigi Carconi ◽  
Enrico Chiarelli ◽  
Pierino De Felice ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Automated System ◽  
Energy Calibration ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Autonomous Operation ◽  
Stone Materials ◽  
Peak Recognition

<p>The CORSAIR (Cloud Oriented Radiation Sensor for Advanced Investigation of Rocks) project was born to meet the EU guidelines 2013/59/EURATOM on safety standards for protection against ionizing radiations. The project designed an automated system capable of providing a real-time measurement of the radioactive activity concentration index for building materials according to regulations of more than 20 different countries. Measurements are conducted through in situ gamma-ray spectroscopy techniques on 3 x 3 x 3 m<sup>3</sup> blocks of rock at quarries and processing centers, and quantify the activities, the abundances and the related effective dose-rates of natural radionuclides (<sup>40</sup>K, <sup>232</sup>Th, <sup>238</sup>U and their progenies) in stone materials for the building industry. The detector comprises a 2” x 2” cylindric CeBr<sub>3</sub> crystal having a 2.5% energy resolution at 1461 keV. A lateral lead shield of 1.3 cm enables a ~60% reduction of the gamma signal coming from above and beside the detector. The system is designed for providing the radiometric index in less than 30 min with an overall uncertainty of the order of 5%.</p><p>The innovative aspects of the detector are in its autonomous operation and the easy fruition of the results of the material characterization. Energy calibration and peak recognition are automatically performed on‑board through an innovative stochastic method based on simulated annealing. The computation of the results is fully-automated and requires no intervention of the operator. The battery-powered detector is equipped with GPS, LoRa, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and can be remotely controlled thanks to a dedicated Android app. Acquired data and activity indexes are synced through LoRa connectivity to a cloud database, where they can be easily accessed by sellers and buyers, thus preventing the placing on the market of blocks hazardous to public health.</p>

DISTRIBUTIONS OF INDOOR GAMMA DOSE RATES IN RELATION TO GAMMA-RAY EMISSIONS FROM BUILDING MATERIALS: CASE STUDY OF HIGH-RISE CONCRETE BUILDING IN FUKUSHIMA

2018 ◽  
Vol 184 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasutaka Omori ◽  
Takuma Ishikawa ◽  
Atsuyuki Sorimachi ◽  
Tetsuo Ishikawa
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Gamma Dose ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Gamma Dose Rates ◽  
Floor Slabs ◽  
Concrete Building

Abstract The spatial distribution of ambient gamma dose rates in a high-rise steel-reinforced concrete building in Fukushima, Japan, was examined relative to the gamma-ray emissions from building materials and radionuclides derived from the 2011 nuclear accident. The results revealed the minor role of accident-derived radionuclides in ambient gamma dose rates ~7 y after the accident. The ambient gamma dose rates were higher in the upper floors because of gamma-ray emissions from natural radionuclides in the floor slabs. The fractional contribution of natural radionuclides to the ambient gamma dose rates indicated compositional differences in concrete between the upper- and lower-floor slabs.

RADIATION EXPOSURE FROM NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN BUILDING MATERIALS

2018 ◽  
Vol 185 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Madruga ◽  
C Miró ◽  
M Reis ◽  
L Silva
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Health Hazard ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Radium Equivalent Activity ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Radium Equivalent ◽  
Radiological Health ◽  
Hazard Parameters

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.

scholarly journals Measurement of NORM in Building Materials to Assess Radiological Hazards to Human Health and Develop the Standard Guidelines for Residents in Thailand: Case Study in Sand Samples Collected from Seven Northeastern Thailand Provinces

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1024
Author(s):  
Phachirarat Sola ◽  
Uthaiwan Injarean ◽  
Roppon Picha ◽  
Chutima Kranrod ◽  
Chunyapuk Kukusamude ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Hazard Index ◽  
Radium Equivalent Activity ◽  
Lifetime Cancer Risk ◽  
Safety Standards ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
External Hazard Index ◽  
Activity Concentrations ◽  
Standard Guideline ◽  
Northeastern Thailand

A total of 223 sand samples collected from seven provinces in Northeastern Thailand were analyzed for their gamma radioactivity from naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), and the data were used to calculate the concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40. Radiological safety indicators such as the indoor external dose rates (Din), the annual indoor effective dose (Ein), the activity concentration index (I), the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the external hazard index (Hex), the internal haphazard index (Hin), and the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The activity concentrations were found to be 36 ± 10 Bq/kg for Ra-226, 2.64 ± 0.58 Bq/kg for Th-232, and 323 ± 168  Bq/kg for K-40. Din is 62 ± 23 nGy/h. The Ein is 0.30 ± 0.11 mSv/y. The activity concentrations and other indicators were reported by each province and compared with the safety standards and are found to be within the safe limits in this study. The results can be used to develop the standard guideline levels for choosing building materials in Thailand.

The Radioactivity Levels and Safety Assessment of Building Materials in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China

2011 ◽  
Vol 243-249 ◽  
pp. 6913-6918
Author(s):  
Jian Lu ◽  
Hao Yang ◽  
Ming Li Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Jiangsu Province ◽  
Internal Exposure ◽  
External Exposure ◽  
Exposure Index ◽  
Radium Equivalent Activity ◽  
Radium Equivalent ◽  
Radioactivity Levels

In order to invetigate the natural radioactivity levels of typical building materials in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province,China, the specific activities of natural radionuclides (226Ra,232Th and40K) in samples of building materials were measured by ORTEC HPGe gamma ray spectrometer. And the radium equivalent activity, the internal and external exposure index, and relative annual effective dose equivalents were also claculated. The average concentrations of all the samples ranged from 64 to 318.79 Bq·kg-1, 11.35 to 144.83 Bq·kg-1and 92.57 to 951.68 Bq·kg-1for226Ra,232Th and40K, respectively. Their average values were in the ranges: 0.33-1.50 for the internal exposure index (Ira); 0.29-1.51 for the external exposure index (Ir); 0.34-1.74 mSv·a-1 for HEextand 0.36-1.76 mSv·a-1for HEint. The average radium equivalent activity varied from 106.49 to 541.77 Bq·kg-1. According to the standard, most samples were in a lower radioactivity level expect a few of artificial tiles. But, we must perfect detection and management system of many materials to ensure radiation safety and physical health.

scholarly journals Natural Radioactivity, Radiological Hazard and Petrographical Studies on Aswan Granites Used as Building Materials in Egypt

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6471
Author(s):  
Nasser M. Moghazy ◽  
Amira M. El-Tohamy ◽  
Mona M. Fawzy ◽  
Hamdy A. Awad ◽  
Hesham M. H. Zakaly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Natural Radioactivity ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Polarized Light ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Eastern Desert ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometry

The present study was carried out on commercial types of Aswan granite used as building and decorative materials. Nearly 29 granitic rocks samples from 11 classes (black Aswan, red Aswan, dark Rosa, light Rosa, yellow Verdi, grey Shirka, Gandolla, Forsan, red Nefertiti, Royal, and white Halayeb) were collected from three stations near Aswan city for petrographical description and assessment of natural radioactivity. The petrographical study of granites was conducted by polarized-light microscope in order to determine their mineralogical composition and investigate their texture; the activity of the natural radionuclides 238U, Ra226, 232Th, and 40K was measured by gamma-ray spectrometry with a NaI(Tl) detector. The average values of the activities, 52.2 Bq kg−1, 57.8 Bq kg−1, 31.2 Bq kg−1, and 1055.7 Bq kg−1 of U-238, Th-232, Ra-226, and K-40, respectively, were higher than that the world average values of 35 Bq kg−1, 30 Bq kg−1 and 400 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively, according to the recommended levels from UNSCEAR reports. The minimum and maximum values obtained were compared with the value ranges from other locations in the Eastern Desert, highlighting the fact that that the maximum values obtained in this work are higher than those in other areas. According to the radiological hazards indices results, most samples lie in the permissible level ranges, suggesting their favorability for use as building materials. In contrast to that, some samples have some environmental parameters higher than the international levels, indicating their unsuitability as building materials.

scholarly journals Elemental Analysis and Natural Radioactivity Levels of Clay by Gamma Ray Spectrometer and Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. R. Alharbi ◽  
A. El-Taher
Keyword(s):  
Elemental Analysis ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Radiation Hazard ◽  
Hazard Indices ◽  
Gamma Ray Spectrometer ◽  
Radium Equivalent ◽  
Effective Doses

Due to increased global demand for clay, the present work involves the use of INAA for elemental analysis and pollutants concentration in clay. The samples were collected from Aswan in South Egypt. The samples were irradiated using the thermal neutrons “at the TRIGA Mainz research reactor” and at a neutron flux “of 7 × 10 n/cm s”. Twenty-six elements quantitatively and qualitatively were specified for the first time upon studying the samples. The elements determined are U, Th, Ta, Hf, Lu, Eu, Ce, Ba, Sn, Nb, Rb, Zn, Co, Fe, Cr, Sc, Sm, La, Yb, As, Ga, K, Mn, Na, Ti, and Mg. The concentrations of natural radionuclides232Th,226Ra, and40K were also calculated. Based on these concentrations, to estimate the exposure risk for using clay as raw materials in building materials, the radiation hazard indices such as radium equivalent activities, effective doses rate, and the external hazard indices have been computed. The obtained results were compared with analogous studies carried out in other countries and with the UNSCEAR reports.

MODELLING AND SIMULATION FOR RADIOLOGICAL DOSE ASSESSMENT OF PSAMMOTHERAPY AND CLIMATOTHERPY

2020 ◽  
Vol 188 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-284
Author(s):  
Kh A Allam
Keyword(s):  
Reference Point ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Absorbed Dose ◽  
Dose Assessment ◽  
Beach Sand ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Occupational Dose ◽  
Mathematical Simulations ◽  
Radiological Dose

Abstract Patient and occupational dose rates due to psammotherapy (sand therapy) and climatotherapy treatments in high natural background areas in Egypt have been evaluated. Monte Carlo mathematical simulations using adult human phantoms were applied to consider the effect of elevated 238U, 232Th and 40K concentrations and the nonhomogeneous distribution of natural radionuclides in beach sand. Three situations: phantom covered by sand or lying on the beach and points in air at several heights above sand level, were considered. The gamma-ray doses per treatment were calculated at a reference point located on the phantom surface centrally above the genital area. The thus calculated patient-absorbed-dose ranges at this reference point were 0.006–0.018 mGy and 0.004–0.023 mGy per climatotherapy and psammotherapy treatments, respectively.

scholarly journals Determination of Activity Concentration of Natural Radionuclides and Radiation Hazards’ Assessment of Building Materials in High Background Radiation Areas of Homa and Ruri, Kenya

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Willis Otieno Gor Odongo ◽  
Margaret Chege ◽  
Nadir Hashim ◽  
Shinji Tokonami ◽  
Kranrod Chutima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Activity Concentration ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
High Background ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Radium Equivalent ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
The One

The areas around Homa and Ruri hills in Homa Bay County in Kenya are associated with high background radiation levels. The activity concentration of the natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K) in earthen building materials used in the areas of Homa and Ruri hills has been measured using a NaI (Tl) detector in this work. The measured values of radioactivity concentrations are used to estimate the associated radiological risk. The earthen building material samples from Ruri registered relatively high 232Th concentration values averaging 1094 ± 55 Bq/kg, nearly three times those of the samples from Homa. 226Ra level was not significantly different in both regions with Homa reporting 129 ± 10 Bq/kg and Ruri 111 ± 6 Bq/kg. 40K was however higher in the samples from Homa by an approximate factor of 2 relative to those from Ruri where the activity concentration was 489 ± 24 Bq/kg. The radium equivalents for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the samples from Ruri were 111 ± 9, 1564 ± 125, and 38 ± 3 Bq/kg, while in Homa, the values were 129 ± 10, 570 ± 46, and 69 ± 5 Bq/kg, respectively. The calculated value of total radium equivalent in Ruri was 1713 ± 137 Bq/kg which was two times higher than that of Homa. 232Th contributed about 74% and 91% to the total radium equivalent in Homa and Ruri, respectively; thus, it was the one with the largest contribution to radiation exposure in both regions. The average indoor annual effective dose rates were 1.74 ± 0.14 and 3.78 ± 0.30 mSv/y in Homa and Ruri, respectively, both of which were above the recommended safety limit of 1 mSv/y.

ELEVATION OF GAMMA DOSE RATE BY CONSTRUCTION OF THE ASIAN HIGHWAY 3 (AH3) BETWEEN ULAANBAATAR AND SAINSHAND, MONGOLIA

2018 ◽  
Vol 184 (1) ◽  
pp. 127-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasutaka Omori ◽  
Atsuyuki Sorimachi ◽  
Manlaijav Gun-Aajav ◽  
Nyamdavaa Enkhgerel ◽  
Galnemekh Oyunbolor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dose Rate ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Natural Radionuclides ◽  
Pulse Height ◽  
Gamma Dose ◽  
Gamma Dose Rate ◽  
Radiation Level ◽  
Dose Rates ◽  
Gamma Dose Rates ◽  
Road Materials

Abstract The present study aimed at examining changes of gamma radiation level associated with road construction in Mongolia. A car-borne survey of gamma dose rate was made for a paved, ~450-km long part of the Asian Highway 3 between Ulaanbaatar and Sainshand. The gamma dose rates ranged from 48 to 173 nGy/h. Elevation of the gamma dose rates was observed only on a 86-km long segment of the survey route which was newly constructed from 2011 to 2013. The gamma dose rates over the newer paved segment were twice as high as those over the bare dirt surface alongside it. Outdoor measurements of gamma-ray pulse height distributions also indicated an abundance of natural radionuclides, especially 232Th-series elements in road materials. These findings suggest that the gamma dose rates were elevated by introduction of road materials containing large amounts of natural radionuclides.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document