scholarly journals Comparative Study of Natural Radioactivity and Radiological Hazard Parameters of Various Imported Tiles Used for Decoration in Sudan

Symmetry ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saifeldin Siddeeg ◽  
Mohamed Suliman ◽  
Faouzi Ben Rebah ◽  
Wissem Mnif ◽  
Amel Ahmed ◽  
...  

Various commercially imported ceramic materials used in the building of Sudanese dwellings were examined in order to determine their natural radioactivity and radiological hazard parameters. In this context, twenty-five different consignments were sampled and analyzed using (3″ × 3″) sodium iodide gamma spectrometry system NaI(Tl). The identified average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were 183 ± 70, 51 ± 44, and 238 ± 77 Bq/kg dry-weights, respectively. A positive correlation between 238U and 232Th in the investigated samples was identified from the observed significant correlation (R2 = 0.8). Interestingly, a low Th/U ratio (~0.3) was recorded, which could be related to the systematic loss of thorium during the fabrication process. The measured activity concentrations for these radionuclides were comparable with the reported data obtained from similar materials used in other countries showing similarity in ceramic materials used in buildings. Five different radiation indices, such as the average radium equivalent (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (D), the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE), the external hazard index (Hex), and the radioactivity level index (lγ), which indicate hazardous radiation, were estimated from these measurements. The obtained results revealed average values of 274 ± 106 Bq/kg, 125 ± 48 nGy/h, 1.23 ± 0.48 mSv/y, 0.74 ± 0.29, and 0.94 ± 0.37, for Raeq, D, AEDE, Hex, and lγ, respectively. The mean values of Raeq and Hex were in good agreement with the international limits, while the means of D and lγ were higher than the universal values. Calculated AEDE in about 60% of the samples exceeded the universal limit of 1 mSv/y for the public exposure (maximum value of 2.16 mSv/y). The investigated parameters were in the same range for the majority of imported samples; however, they were slightly higher than the locally produced ceramic, highlighting the importance of monitoring imported materials for their radioactivity contents.

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-118
Author(s):  
Daniel Hatungimana ◽  
Caner Taşköprü ◽  
Mutlu İçhedef ◽  
Müslim Murat Saç ◽  
Şemsi Yazıcı ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to determine the radon and natural radioactivity concentrations of some building materials and to assess the radiation hazard associated with those mortar materials when they are used in the construction of dwellings. Radon measurements were realized by using LR-115 Type 2 solid state nuclear track detectors. Radon activity concentrations of these materials were found to vary between 130.00 ± 11.40 and 1604.06 ± 40.5 Bq m−3. The natural radioactivity in selected mortar materials was analyzed by using scintillation gamma spectroscopy. The activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K for the studied mortar materials ranged from ND to 48.5 ± 7.0 Bq kg−1, ND to 41.0 ± 6.4 Bq kg−1 and ND to 720.4 ± 26.8 Bq kg−1, respectively. Radium equivalent activities, external and internal hazard indexes, gamma and alpha indexes and absorbed gamma dose rates were calculated to assess the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in studied samples. The calculated Raeq values of all samples were found to be lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg−1 set for building materials. The estimated hazard index values were found to be under the unity and the absorbed dose rate values were also below the worldwide average of 84 nGy h−1.


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.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurice Moyo Ndontchueng ◽  
Eric Jilbert Mekongtso Nguelem ◽  
Augustin Simo ◽  
Raymond Limen Njinga ◽  
Gembou Shouop Cébastien Joël

A study of natural radioactivity levels in some composites of eighteen soil samples selected within Douala-Bassa zone of Littoral Region has been evaluated. The samples were analysed using gamma spectrometry based broad energy germanium detector (BEGe 6350). The activity profile of radionuclide shows low activity across the studied areas. The obtained mean values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the two campuses were 25.48 Bq/kg, 65.96 Bq/kg, and 39.14 Bq/kg for Campus 1 and 24.50 Bq/kg, 66.71 Bq/kg, and 28.19 Bq/kg for Campus 2, respectively. In terms of health analysis, some radiation health hazard parameters were calculated within the two campuses. The mean values of radium equivalent activity were 122.81 Bq/kg and 122.08 Bq/kg, absorbed dose rate in air was 99.13 nGy/h and 98.18 nGy/y, annual outdoor effective dose was 0.12 mSv/y and 0.12 mSv/y, and external health hazard index was 0.34 and 0.33 in Campus 1 and Campus 2, respectively. These health hazard parameters were seen to be below the safe limit of UNSCEAR 2000 except the absorbed dose rate in air and the annual outdoor effective doses which are relatively high compared to the values of 60 nGy/h and 0.07 mSv/y. These results reveal no significant radiological health hazards for inhabitance within the study areas.


2021 ◽  
pp. 55-65
Author(s):  
Jemila Mussa Ali ◽  
Salha D. Y. Alsaadi ◽  
Abdulwahhab Alkuwafi

The natural radioactivity of 15 ceramic samples imported from Italy, China, and Egypt to the local market of Benghazi city-Libya, was measured by the means of a gamma-ray spectroscopy system with an HPG detector. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were ranged from 75.75 to 85.63 Bq.kg-1, 44.10to 65.20 Bq.kg-1 and 819.52 to 959.27 Bq.kg-1, respectively. The radium equivalent, external hazard index, gamma radiation index, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, and cancer risk factor were calculated using the above measurements in order to assess the radiological hazard associated with the studied ceramic samples. The average values of these radiological indices for the ceramic samples were found to be; 232.29 Bq.kg-1, 0.63, 1.71, 107.11 nGy.h-1, 0.13 mSv.y-1 and 0.43, respectively. In general, the average value of radium equivalent for ceramic samples is not exceeded the recommended value of 370 Bq.kg-1, the external hazard index is lower than unity, and for all samples the annual effective dose below the recommended world limits. On the other hand, some radiological hazard indices were reported to be higher than the recommended world limits. The ceramic samples concerned in this study might be recommended to be utilized as building materials for dwelling construction. Keywords: Natural radioactivity; Radiological hazard; Absorbed dose rate; HPGe detector; Ceramic


2020 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18
Author(s):  
Branislava Mitrovic ◽  
Dragana Todorovic ◽  
Jelena Ajtic ◽  
Borjana Vranjes

This review paper discusses the content of natural (40K, 238U, 226Ra, and 232Th) and artificial (137Cs) radionuclides in the soil of the mountains of Maljen, Tara and Kopaonik in the Republic of Serbia over 2002-2015. In addition, the paper gives radiation hazard parameters, i.e., radium equivalent activity, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, external hazard index, annual gonadal dose equivalent, and excess lifetime cancer risk outdoors that we calculated from the obtained content of the natural radionuclides in the soil samples. We compared the parameters to previously published results for different parts of the country and looked into the radioecological status of the investigated areas.


This work was undertaken with the purpose of measuring natural radioactivity, due to 238U, 232Th and 40K in 30 soil samples collected from two hospitals in the governorate of (AL-Najaf), in Iraq. The samples were distributed (15) samples per hospital, and Radiation risks were also calculated for all soil samples. The natural radioactivity was measured using NaI (Tl) detector, the results of the specific activity at the Al Sadr Hospital were 238U ranged from (5.89±0.36 to 21.38±0.69) (Bq/kg) with average value 12.60±0.51 (Bq/kg). 232Th from (0.44±0.06 to 14.67±0.37) (Bq/kg) with average value (4.46±0.19) (Bq/kg), and 40K from (252.14±2.54 to 478.24±3.50) (Bq/kg) with average value (346.95±289) (Bq/kg). AL-Forat AL-Aosat hospital results were 238U ranged from (0.69±0.12 to 27.63±0.74) (Bq/kg) with average value (12.84±0.51) (Bq/kg), 232Th from (1.47±0.11 to 9.3±0.31 (Bq/kg) with average value 6.19±0.24 (Bq/kg), and 40K from (192.88±2.27 to 338.52±3.08) (Bq/kg) with average value (254.29±2.54) (Bq/kg). The radiation risks calculated, Radium Equivalent (Raeq), external Hazard index (Hex), absorbed dose rate (ADr), total Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE), and the Excess Life Cancer Risk (ELCR). The results were for Al Sadr Hospital (45.7063(Bq/kg), 0.1234, 23.0648(nGy/h), 0.0283(mSV/y), 1.247439702×10-3) respectively. For AL-Forat AL-Aosat hospital were (41.2655 (Bq/kg), 0.111, 20.3772 (nGy/h), 0.0250(mSV/y)`, 1.102083688×10-3) respectively. The results in the two hospitals were compared with the global allowable values ratio within the permissible ranges specified by UNSCER, OCDE, and ICRP; we concluded that all the sites in this study are safe.


2019 ◽  
Vol 100 ◽  
pp. 00052
Author(s):  
Aneta Łukaszek-Chmielewska ◽  
Martin Girard ◽  
Olga Stawarz ◽  
Barbara Piotrowska ◽  
Karol Wojtkowski ◽  
...  

In this article are presented the results of measurements of natural radioactivity in twelve soil samples from the Kampinoski National Park by using high purity germanium detector (HPGe). The average values of the natural radionuclides 40K, 226Ra and 228Ac concentrations in the soil samples are 8.54, 6.65 and 206 Bq/kg respectively. Additionally radiation hazard indices were calculated to evaluate the radiological risk for the public and environment. The results show that the mean values of radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and gamma absorbed dose rate (D) in the air, outdoor annual effective dose equivalent (Eout), and representative level index (Iγ) for analyzed samples were lower than the limit recommended by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effect of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). This study is the first to evaluate the radiological impacts in the investigation area.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Akkurt ◽  
K. Günoğlu

The natural radioactivity existed since creation of the universe due to the long life time of some radionuclides. This natural radioactivity is caused byγ-radiation originating from the uranium and thorium series and40K. In this study, the gamma radiation has been measured to determine natural radioactivity of238U,232Th, and40K in collected sedimentary rock samples in different places of Turkey. The measurements have been performed usingγ-ray spectrometer containing NaI(Tl) detector and multichannel analyser (MCA). Absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose (AED), radium equivalent activities (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), and internal hazard index (Hin) associated with the natural radionuclide were calculated to assess the radiation hazard of the natural radioactivity in the sedimentary rock samples. The average values of absorbed dose rate in air (D), annual effective dose (AED), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), external hazard index (Hex), and internal hazard index (Hin) were calculated and these were 45.425 nGy/h, 0.056 mSv/y, 99.014 Bq/kg, 0.267, and 0.361, respectively.


2016 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 184-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Bjelic ◽  
Dragana Todorovic ◽  
Jelena Krneta-Nikolic ◽  
Djordje Lazarevic ◽  
Koviljka Stankovic

This work presents the results of an investigation undertaken to determine the level of natural radioactivity in the traditional building materials used for medieval indoor vaulted constructions in the territory of the central Balkan region. Indoor radiation exposure varies appreciably if it comes from the earth building materials, hence the presence of natural radioisotopes of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in masonry vaulted constructions was analyzed using gamma ray spectrometry. In addition, the internal health hazard index, the absorbed dose rates and the effective annual doses were calculated. The results were then compared both with the reported data from the previous studies concerning the territory of the Balkan Peninsula, as well as with the worldwide values for the materials of historic buildings. The results obtained from the materials examined in this paper all showed the radioactivity levels below the maximum permitted values.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Angjeleska ◽  
Elizabeta Dimitrieska-Stojkovic ◽  
Zehra Hajrulai-Musliu ◽  
Radmila Črčeva-Nikolovska ◽  
Boško Boškovski

The aim of this study was to determine the activity concentrations of naturally occurring radioisotopes 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in 14 soil samples collected in the Skopje city surrounding, and to calculate the corresponding absorbed gamma dose rates. The radionuclides were measured applying a high purity Ge detector gamma-ray spectrometer with relative efficiency of 30 % at 1.33 MeV. The activity concentrations found in 14 soil samples varied in the range 24.1-41.9 Bq kg-1for 226Ra, 38.5-52.2 Bq kg-1 for 232Th, and 502-707 Bq kg-1 for40K. The mean radium equivalent (Raeq), for the area under investigation, was 143±16 Bq kg-1, while the outdoor radiation hazard index (Hex) was 0.39. The total absorbed dose rate due to three primordial radionuclides investigated lay in the range 55.3 - 79.0 nGy h-1 with mean value of 68.1±7.7 nGy h-1, yielding a total annual effective dose of (83.5±9.5) µSv y-1. The assessed radiological factors were lower than the recommended values, indicating low radiological health risk for the population living and working in the investigated area. The activity concentrations of radionuclides in soil samples were compared to the international values reported by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation and previous studies on geographically close areas and some worldwide regions. 


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