Natural radioactivity, radon exhalation rates and indoor radon concentration of some granite samples used as construction material in Turkey

Abstract

It is very important to determine the levels of the natural radioactivity in construction materials and radon exhalation rate from these materials for assessing potential exposure risks for the residents. The present study deals with 22 different granite samples employed as decoration stones in constructions in Turkey. The natural radioactivity in granite samples was measured by gamma-ray spectrometry with an HPGe detector. The activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K were found to be in the range of 10-187, 16-354 and 104-1630 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The radon surface exhalation rate and the radon mass exhalation rate estimated from the measured values of (226)Ra content and material properties varied from 1.3 to 24.8 Bq m(-2) h(-1) with a mean of 10.5±1.5 Bq m(-2) h(-1) and 0.03-0.64 Bq kg(-1) h(-1) with a mean of 0.27±0.04 Bq kg(-1) h(-1), respectively. Radon concentrations in the room caused from granite samples estimated using a mass balance equation varied from 23 to 461 Bq m(-3) with a mean of 196±27 Bq m(-3). Also the gamma index (Iγ), external indoor annual effective dose (Eγ) and annual effective dose due to the indoor radon exposure (ERn) were estimated as the average value of 1.1±0.1, 0.16±0.02 mSv and 5.0±0.7 mSv, respectively, for the granite samples.

Health Hazards Assessment and Geochemistry of ElSibai-Abu ElTiyur Granites, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

“…a result of radium ( 226 Ra) disintegration of soils, rocks, and their products (construction materials), radon ( 222 Rn) is generated and flows through their pores into the air [31]. The biggest annual radiation dose incurred by people arises from radon and its offspring in the air.…”

“…where F1 (=0.4), F2 (=0.8), and F3 (=9 × 10 −0 mSv per Bq m −3 h −1 ) are the factors of equ equivalent concentration, individuals' indoor occupancy, and dose conversion tively [31,73].…”

“…where F 1 (=0.4), F 2 (=0.8), and F 3 (=9 × 10 −6 mSv per Bq m −3 h −1 ) are the factors of equilibrium equivalent concentration, individuals' indoor occupancy, and dose conversion, respectively [31,73]. The values of the IYED Rn (Table 4 and Figure 13) of the measured samples fluctuated between 1.06 to 4.51 mSv/y with an average value of 2.42 ± 0.21 mSv/y, i.e., higher than the worldwide average (1.2 mSv/y) provided by UNSCEAR [21].…”

Estimation of Natural Radionuclides and Rare Earth Elements Concentration of the Rocks of Abu Khuruq Ring Complex, Egypt

“…The alpha index (I α ) estimates radon inhalation for the emitted radon from building materials [24][25][26][27]. This index is determined through the specific activity concentration of 226 Ra, AC Ra which is in Bq kg −1…”

Dose assessment for radon and thoron concentrations in iraqi thermostone bricks

“…Epidemiological investigations showed an association between internal radon exposure and lung cancer, even at the generally low radon levels in residential dwellings. [6]. It has been determined that two significant sources, namely the exhalation of radon from the soil (flux) and the building materials, contribute to indoor radon [7].…”