Development of a European harmonised standard to determine the natural radioactivity concentrations in building materials

Michalik, B.; Hoffmann, B.; Döse, Magnus

doi:10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.153

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…A certain previous study provides a typology for estimating uncertainty for NORMs measurement in construction materials, according to the ISO methodology [28]. The latter provides a methodology for estimating reliability intervals following measurements on specific specimens that could be either concrete, fresh or hardened, or even samples from concrete constituents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activity Concentration Index Values for Concrete Multistory Residences in Greece Due to Fly Ash Addition in Cement

Gavela,

Papadakos

2023

Eng

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According to 2013/59/Euratom Directive, the activity concentration index (ACI) is required to be estimated for each building material that is of concern from a radiation protection point of view. This index applies to building materials and not to constituents that cannot be used as building materials themselves. Fly ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants and is one of the main constituents of cement. The radioactivity in fly ash that is produced by Greek lignite power plants cannot be considered insignificant. For example, in the case of the Megalopolis power plant, the concentration for radioisotopes of the 226Ra chain is found to be about 1 kBq/kg. Since natural radionuclide concentrations, which are harmful to human health in terms of radiation exposure, exist in fly ash, ACI should be assessed for building materials containing fly ash. The present study evaluates the ACI of concrete containing fly ash cement when used in multistory residential buildings. Results showed that cement produced in Greece by the three main Greek cement production plants, containing lignite fly ash, and used as a material for concrete multistory constructions, should not be considered as “of concern from a radiation protection point of view”. Each country that wishes to evaluate the use of fly ash into constructions should repeat the method for the ACI uncertainty budget proposed in this study, to assess whether it significantly exceeds the reference value (whether it is of concern from a radiation protection point of view).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activity Concentration Index Values for Concrete Multistory Residences in Greece Due to Fly Ash Addition in Cement

Gavela,

Papadakos

2023

Eng

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“…Some scientific reports focused on the characteristics of the building, such as room types, floor levels, ventilation systems, building materials, type of building basement, type of windows (wooden, plastic, etc. ), type of plastering (insulation), building age, and others [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. Because of the many factors that influence indoor radon concentrations, only real measurements of the radon concentrations can predict the radon hazard and supply a correct risk assessment.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Indoor Air Radon Concentration in Premises of Public Companies and Workplaces in Latvia

Reste

Pavlovska

Martinsone

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Considering the multitudes of people who spend their time working indoors in public premises and workplaces, it is worth knowing what their level of exposure is to natural radioactive radon gas, the second most widespread and dangerous carcinogen for lung cancer development after cigarette smoking. This state-level study covered most of the territory of Latvia and conducted 941 radon measurements with Radtrack2, placed for 4–6 months in the premises of public companies, educational institutions, medical care institutions, etc. The study found that 94.7% of samples did not exceed the national permissible limit (200 Bq/m3), the level at which preventive measures should be initiated. The median value of average specific radioactivity of radon in these premises was 48 Bq/m3 (Q1 and Q3 being 27 and 85 Bq/m3), which is below the average of the European region. Slightly higher concentrations were observed in well-insulated premises with plastic windows and poorer air exchange, mostly in schools (59 (36, 109) Bq/m3) and kindergartens (48 (32, 79) Bq/m3). Industrial workplaces had surprisingly low radon levels (28 (16, 55) Bq/m3) due to strict requirements for air quality and proper ventilation. Public premises and workplaces in Latvia mostly have low radon concentrations in the air, but more attention should be paid to adequate ventilation and air exchange.

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“…Murphy 2008), various studies have been conducted on this topic in recent years (e.g. WHO 2009;Anjos et al 2011;Pereira et al 2012;Turhan et al 2015;De With et al 2018), including some focussing on kitchen countertops and tiles (e.g. Joel et al 2018;Myatt et al 2010;Tzortzis et al 2003).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Is there any health danger by radioactivity on the use of dimensional stones?

et al. 2022

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Natural building stones must be analysed according to a legally defined procedure to prove that the natural radioactivity they emit is below the so-called activity index given by European Commission. This applies in particular to rooms inside buildings or apartments that are used by people for longer periods of time. Gamma spectrometric measurements were determined for all nuclides involved, 40K, 226Ra and 232Th, which were finally summed up to a total dose for each sample. Measurements are prescribed to check whether the reference value of 1 milli-Sievert per year can be exceeded by radionuclides in the respective building materials. Natural stones, 82 in total from all over the world, such as various igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks, which are currently used as building stones for interior and exterior finishing, as kitchen worktops, floor tiles, wall cladding, table tops, furniture cover plates, paving stones, terrace slabs, paving slabs, stairs, street furniture, etc., were selected. Additionally, Rn-222 and Rn-220 exhaled per unit mass were determined simultaneously on 54 selcted from the total 82 rocks by using the accumulation method. In addition, our results were statistically compared with literature data, according to which fesic igneous rocks, gneisses and clay mineral-rich rocks have the highest potential to be radiologically threatening. Limestones, marbles, quartzites, mafic igneous rocks and sandstones are generally less radiologically harmful, but even here there are exceptions depending on the geological formation history and mineralogical composition. The highest activity index of 1.87 was determined for the gneiss Giallo California. Model calculations to determine the expected radiation exposure for a human were used by applying two less complex approaches. Even with the extreme model “coffin”, which consists of the Gialo California, a human experiences only a maximum dose rate of 1.29 mSva−1, which is far below the maximum dose rate of 20 mSv a−1 allowed for occupational radiation exposure. The 220Rn and 222Rn are often neglected; however, their contribution to the dose rate received by the population may be significant. Model simulations for a room with 4 m × 3 m × 2.5 m where the walls and the floor coverd with tiles of 1 cm thickness show a maximum indoor radon concentration of less then 100 Bg m−3. With increase in thickness of the tiles up to 3 cm, 10 cm and 20 cm and for poorly ventilated rooms especially some granitoids, gneisses and the copper-rich shale are above the allowed limit of the European Commission.

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Development of a European harmonised standard to determine the natural radioactivity concentrations in building materials

Cited by 7 publications

References 9 publications

Activity Concentration Index Values for Concrete Multistory Residences in Greece Due to Fly Ash Addition in Cement

Activity Concentration Index Values for Concrete Multistory Residences in Greece Due to Fly Ash Addition in Cement

Indoor Air Radon Concentration in Premises of Public Companies and Workplaces in Latvia

Is there any health danger by radioactivity on the use of dimensional stones?

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