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Nicolaou L, Sylvies F, Veloso I, Lord K, Chandyo RK, Sharma AK, Shrestha LP, Parker DL, Thygerson SM, DeCarlo PF, Ramachandran G, Checkley W. Brick kiln pollution and its impact on health: A systematic review and meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024:119220. [PMID: 38797466 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Brick kiln emissions adversely affect air pollution and the health of workers and individuals living near the kilns; however, evidence of their impacts remains limited. We conducted a systematic review of brick kiln pollution (emissions, source contributions and personal exposures) and its effects on health. We extracted articles from electronic databases and through manual citation searching. We estimated pooled, sample-size-weighted means and standard deviations for personal exposures by job type; computed mean emission factors and pollutant concentrations by brick kiln design; and meta-analyzed differences in means or proportions for health outcomes between brick kiln workers and controls or for participants living near or far away from kilns. We identified 104 studies; 74 were conducted in South Asia. The most evaluated pollutants were particulate matter (PM; n=48), sulfur dioxide (SO2; n=24) and carbon monoxide (CO; n=22), and the most evaluated health outcomes were respiratory health (n=34) and musculoskeletal disorders (n=9). PM and CO emissions were higher among traditional than improved brick kilns. Mean respirable silica exposures were only measured in 4 (4%) studies and were as high as 620 μg/m3, exceeding the NIOSH recommended exposure limit by a factor of over 12. Brick kiln workers had consistently worse lung function, more respiratory symptoms, more musculoskeletal complaints, and more inflammation when compared to unexposed participants across studies; however, most studies had a small sample size and did not fully describe methods used for sampling or data collection. On average, brick kiln workers had worse health outcomes when compared to unexposed controls but study quality supporting the evidence was low. Few studies reported silica concentrations or personal exposures, but the few that did suggest that exposures are high. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between brick kiln pollution and health among workers, and to evaluate exposure mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Nicolaou
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - Fiona Sylvies
- Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Isabel Veloso
- Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Katherine Lord
- Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ram K Chandyo
- Kathmandu Medical College, Sinamangal, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Arun K Sharma
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Laxman P Shrestha
- Institute of Medicine, Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - David L Parker
- University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, USA
| | | | - Peter F DeCarlo
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Whiting School of Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Gurumurthy Ramachandran
- Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA
| | - William Checkley
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Center for Global Non-Communicable Disease Research and Training, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA.
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Gawad AEA, Eliwa H, Masoud MS, Khandaker MU, Hanfi MY. Assessment of the potential radiation hazards posed by Nubian sandstone, Egypt. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21202. [PMID: 38040723 PMCID: PMC10692078 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47150-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The study found that the activity concentrations of the radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K in the sandstone are 32 ± 13, 29.6 ± 12.2, and 132.6 ± 86.4 Bq kg-1, respectively. These values are lower than the reported worldwide limits of 33, 45, and 412 Bq kg-1. According to the present study, the absorbed dose rate (Dair), the annual effective dose, and the excess life time cancer were all found to be below the worldwide mean. Pearson correlation, PCA, and HCA were used to analyze the data and identify patterns in the relationship between radionuclides and radiological hazards. A statistical analysis of the sandstones showed that the radioactive elements 238U, 232Th and 40K are the main contributors to the radioactive risk. The study suggests that the sandstone is safe to use. The levels of radioactivity are not high enough to pose a risk to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hassan Eliwa
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Minufiya University, Shebin El Kom, Egypt
| | - Masoud S Masoud
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mayeen Uddin Khandaker
- Centre for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
- Faculty of Graduate Studies, Daffodil International University, Daffodil Smart City, Birulia, Savar, Dhaka, 1216, Bangladesh
| | - Mohamed Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt.
- Ural Federal University, St. Mira, 19, Yekaterinburg, Russia, 620002.
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Parvez MA, Rana IA, Nawaz A, Arshad HSH. The impact of brick kilns on environment and society: a bibliometric and thematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:48628-48653. [PMID: 36829095 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26011-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Bricks have a long history of being utilized as a construction material across the globe. The production processes involved in the manufacture of bricks have a significant impact on the environment, human health, economy, and society. This study conducts a thematic and bibliometric analysis to provide an in-depth review of the effects of brick kilns on humans and the environment. The PRISMA framework was used to identify relevant articles from the Web of Science database, resulting in the selection and critical review of 348 articles. The bibliometric analysis included an evaluation of historical growth, keywords, citation and co-citation, organizations, and countries. The articles were published in 213 journals, written by 1396 authors from 670 institutions in 66 countries. Thematic analysis revealed that brick kilns have a negative impact on the environment, including soil damage, and cause health problems for kiln workers and animals. Modern slavery and societal issues also persist in developing countries. The current research is focused on finding alternative materials for brick manufacturing, improving industry energy efficiency, managing waste, and technological advancements, such as the implementation of the zigzag or Hoffmann kiln to reduce pollution. In developing countries, utilizing waste from other industries in brick production can effectively lower production costs. While developed countries have embraced advanced technologies for brick production, it is recommended that developing countries adopt awareness campaigns to encourage the upgrading of kilns to cleaner and more sustainable systems. Future research directions should aim to support brick kiln owners in adopting such systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Arham Parvez
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector, Islamabad, H-1244000, Pakistan
| | - Irfan Ahmad Rana
- Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Sector, Islamabad, H-1244000, Pakistan.
| | - Adnan Nawaz
- Department of Civil Engineering, COMSATS University, Wah Campus, Islamabad, 47040, Wah Cantt, Pakistan
| | - Hafiz Syed Hamid Arshad
- Department of City and Regional Planning, University of Management and Technology, Phase 1, Johar Town, Lahore, Pakistan
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Omar AE, Sakr MAH, Taalab SA, Bakhit ABA, Pugliese M, La Verde G, Hanfi MY. Geotechnical and environmental radioactivity investigations at Al Sādis Min Uktōber city, Cairo municipality (Egypt), for the high-speed railway construction. Appl Radiat Isot 2023; 193:110664. [PMID: 36669267 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.110664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The present study aims to evaluate the possibility of constructing a new high-speed railway (HSR) at Al Sādis Min Uktōber city, Cairo (Egypt): geotechnical and environmental radiological hazards are estimated from several collected soil and water samples. A variety of laboratory geotechnical tests such as grain size, free swelling test, liquid and plastic limits, chemical analysis and uniaxial compression strength are applied to sixty-one drill holes. A geotechnical examination of the coarse-grained soil at the foundation level classified it as poorly graded soil. The results of the investigation of fine-grained soil at the foundation level shown that the liquid limit ranges from 22% to 55%, the plastic limit ranges from 12% to 28%, the plasticity index varies from 11% to 33%, free swelling varies from 51% to 71%. Mechanically, the uniaxial compressive strength values on rock samples range from 6.96 MPa to 142.39 MPa. The radioactive study is performed to detect the 226Ra, 232Th, and 40 K activity concentrations of the soil samples: their mean values are 34 ± 10 Bq·kg-1, 14 ± 5 Bq·kg-1 and 552 ± 20 Bq·kg-1, respectively. The values of radiological hazard indexes are not exceeded the permissible limits: e.g. the mean value of absorbed dose rate is 47 ± 6 nGy h-1; the annual gonadal dose equivalent is 0.3 ± 0.04 mSv·y-1; the lifetime cancer risk is 02 ± 0.2·10-3. Thus, the soil in the studied railway area is safe to use in building materials and infrastructure applications: the radiological hazards and the geotechnical studies confirmed the studied area is suitable to construct a new community having a HSR. According to the SWOT-PEST and environmental impact analyses, the construction of the HSR meets the criteria of the Kyoto Protocol, the EU Climate and Energy policy, and other international treaties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali E Omar
- Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, Cairo, P.O. Box 530, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A H Sakr
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, P.O. Box, 11884, Egypt.
| | - Sherif A Taalab
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, P.O. Box, 11884, Egypt
| | | | - M Pugliese
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Physics "E. Pancini", Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - G La Verde
- University of Naples Federico II, Department of Physics "E. Pancini", Via Cinthia 21, 80126, Napoli, Italy
| | - Mohamed Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority, El Maadi, Cairo, P.O. Box 530, Egypt; Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, St. Mira, 19, 620002, Yekaterinburg, Russia.
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Adel EAH, Taha SH, Ebyan OA, Rashed WM, El-Feky MG, Alqahtani MS, Korany KA, Hanfi MY. Natural Radioactivity Assessment and Radiation Hazards of Pegmatite as a Building Material, Hafafit Area, Southeastern Desert, Egypt. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10100596. [PMID: 36287876 PMCID: PMC9607233 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10100596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Sixty-seven sites of Hafafit pegmatite from the Southeastern Desert of Egypt were investigated radiometrically in the field using an in situ γ-ray spectrometer to determine eU, eTh, and K contents. The obtained results ranged from 0.4 to 6 ppm for eU with a mean value of 2.5 ppm, from 0.2 to 32 ppm for eTh with a mean value of 6.7 ppm, and from 0.7% to 5.4% for K with a mean value of 3.3%. Consequently, the radiological effects from these rocks were estimates by determination of the environmental parameters: gamma activity concentration index Iγ, external hazard index Hex, internal hazard index Hin, external absorbed dose rates in outdoor, and external absorbed dose rates in indoor air. The results obtained in this study showed that values U, Th, and K lie in the range of the acceptable world values. In addition, the calculated radiation hazard parameters (Iγ, Hex, and Hin) have values lower than the world values, while the calculated external absorbed dose rates (Dair) have values higher than the world and Egyptian permissible levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- El-Afandy H. Adel
- Contracts Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority, Cairo P.O. Box 530, Egypt
| | - Samia H. Taha
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Cairo P.O. Box 11884, Egypt
| | - Osama A. Ebyan
- Contracts Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority, Cairo P.O. Box 530, Egypt
| | - Wafaa M. Rashed
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, New Vally University, Alkharja 72511, Egypt
| | - Mohamed G. El-Feky
- Contracts Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority, Cairo P.O. Box 530, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S. Alqahtani
- Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha 61421, Saudi Arabia
- BioImaging Unit, Space Research Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Korany A. Korany
- Department of Basic Sciences, Common First Year Deanship, Jouf University, Sakaka P.O. Box 214, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Y. Hanfi
- Contracts Sector, Nuclear Materials Authority, Cairo P.O. Box 530, Egypt
- Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, St. Mira 19, Yekaterinburg 620002, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Hanfi MY, Abdel Gawad AE, Ali KG, Abu-Donia A, Alsafi KG, Khafaji MA, Albahiti SK, Alqahtani MS, Khalil M, Abdel Wahed AA. Environmental risk assessment associated with acidic volcanics in Egypt. Appl Radiat Isot 2022; 188:110413. [PMID: 35994917 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2022.110413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The present work aims to study gamma rays emitted by radionuclides such as 238U, 232Th and 40K from acidic Monqul volcanics. The studied volcanics are represented by a thick stratified lava flows interbanded with their pyroclastics. They are composed of thick lava flows of andesite and, to a lesser extent of basalt, and acidic volcanics including rhyolite and dacite. The average values of 238U, 232Th and 40K are (46 ± 24 Bq kg-1), (62 ± 11 Bq kg-1) and (1227 ± 318 Bq kg-1) in the rhyolite-dacite samples are greater than the worldwide average. The variation of radioactive bearing minerals observed inside granite faults produced the great amounts of radioactivity perceived in the samples. Calculating radiological risks is used to assess the public's radioactive risk from radionuclides revealed in the studied Rhyolite-dacite samples. The acceptable limit for excess lifetime cancer (ELCR) evaluations has been exceeded. As a result, Rhyolite-dacite are inappropriate for apply in building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530 El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt; Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, Ekaterinburg, Russia.
| | | | - Khaled G Ali
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530 El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Atef Abu-Donia
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530 El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Khalid G Alsafi
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Radiology Department, Medical Physics Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - M A Khafaji
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Radiology Department, Medical Physics Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah K Albahiti
- Radiology Department, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia; Radiology Department, Medical Physics Unit, King Abdulaziz University, Hospital, King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed S Alqahtani
- Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Khalid University, Abha, 61421, Saudi Arabia; BioImaging Unit, Space Research Centre, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Magdy Khalil
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Egypt
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Abdel Gawad AE, Ali KG, Wahed AAA, Alsafi K, Khafaji M, Albahiti S, Khalil M, Masoud MS, Hanfi MY. Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk Associated with Granite Bearing Radioactive Minerals and Valuable Metals, Monqul Area, North Eastern Desert, Egypt. MATERIALS 2022; 15:ma15124307. [PMID: 35744366 PMCID: PMC9229709 DOI: 10.3390/ma15124307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The present work is concerned with assessing the cancer risk contributed by the studied granite types including valuable metals, such as Cu, Au, and Ba mineralization, as well as radioactive-bearing mineralization, such as monazite and zircon, in south Monqul at Wadi Makhrag El Ebel, north Eastern Desert, Egypt. The mineralization analyses illustrated that copper mineralization containing chrysocolla and tenorite minerals were restricted to the alteration zone, especially (argillic, phyllic, and propylitic) in monzogranite. However, barite veinlets had an ENE–WSW trend, while gold mineralization was confined to quartz veins having NE–SW trends. Monazite and zircon are radioactive-bearing minerals recorded in monzogranite causing high radioactive zones in south Monqul. The radionuclide activity concentrations were detected in the studied monzogranites. The mean values of AU (103 ± 91 Bq kg−1), ATh (78 ± 19 Bq kg−1), and AK (1484 ± 334 Bq kg−1) in the monzogranite samples were higher than the recommended worldwide average. The change in radioactive-transporting minerals found inside granite faults caused the high amounts of radioactivity seen in the samples. Due to the monzogranites being applied in building materials, the radiological hazards were assessed by calculating risk indices such as annual effective dose (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). The acceptable limit for the ELCR readings was surpassed. As a result, the investigated monzogranite samples are not suitable for use in infrastructure materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E. Abdel Gawad
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El-Maadi, Cairo 11728, Egypt; (K.G.A.); (A.A.A.W.); (M.S.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.E.A.G.); (M.Y.H.)
| | - Khaled G. Ali
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El-Maadi, Cairo 11728, Egypt; (K.G.A.); (A.A.A.W.); (M.S.M.)
| | - Adel A. Abdel Wahed
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El-Maadi, Cairo 11728, Egypt; (K.G.A.); (A.A.A.W.); (M.S.M.)
| | - Khalid Alsafi
- Medical Physics Unit, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (M.K.); (S.A.)
- Medical Physics Unit, Diagnostic Imaging Department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mawya Khafaji
- Medical Physics Unit, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (M.K.); (S.A.)
- Medical Physics Unit, Diagnostic Imaging Department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarah Albahiti
- Medical Physics Unit, Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia; (K.A.); (M.K.); (S.A.)
- Medical Physics Unit, Diagnostic Imaging Department, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah 22252, Saudi Arabia
| | - Magdy Khalil
- Geology Department, Faculty of Science, Damietta University, Damietta 34511, Egypt;
| | - Masoud S. Masoud
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El-Maadi, Cairo 11728, Egypt; (K.G.A.); (A.A.A.W.); (M.S.M.)
| | - Mohamed Y. Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority, P.O. Box 530, El-Maadi, Cairo 11728, Egypt; (K.G.A.); (A.A.A.W.); (M.S.M.)
- Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia
- Correspondence: (A.E.A.G.); (M.Y.H.)
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Awad M, El Mezayen AM, El Azab A, Alfi SM, Ali HH, Hanfi MY. Radioactive risk assessment of beach sand along the coastline of Mediterranean Sea at El-Arish area, North Sinai, Egypt. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 177:113494. [PMID: 35245768 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Beach sand includes various levels of natural radioactivity, which can cause health effects. The natural radioactivity was measured in the beach sand along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea at the east of the El-Arish area, Egypt. Using the HPGe spectrometer, the contribution of radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the gamma emitted radiation illustrated that the 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations are 8.8 ± 3.9, 30.8 ± 12.2 and 106.9 ± 46.8 Bq kg-1, respectively, which is lower than the reported worldwide limit 33, 45 and 412 Bq kg-1. The radioactive hazards associated with the beach sand along the coastline of the Mediterranean Sea at the east of the El-Arish area were investigated. The obtained results among the radiological hazard parameters, the radium equivalent content (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (Dair), annual effective dose (AED), external (Hex) and internal (Hin) hazard indices were estimated. Moreover, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) were also computed and illustrated their values less than the recommended levels. Multivariate statistical approaches like Pearson correlation, the principal component analysis (PCA) and the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were applied to investigate the correlation between the radionuclides and the corresponding radiological hazard variables. Based on the statistical analysis, the 226Ra and 232Th mainly contribute to the radioactive risk of beach sand. Finally, no significant risk of the public associated with utilizing beach sand in building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Awad
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A M El Mezayen
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Al Azhar University, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt
| | - A El Azab
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - S M Alfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - H H Ali
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
| | - M Y Hanfi
- Nuclear Materials Authority. P.O. Box 530, El Maadi, Cairo, Egypt; Ural Federal University, Mira Street 19, 620002 Ekaterinburg, Russia.
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Natural Radionuclide Levels and Radiological Hazards of Khour Abalea Mineralized Pegmatites, Southeastern Desert, Egypt. MINERALS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/min12030353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Arranged from oldest to youngest, the main granitic rock units exposed in Khour Abalea are metagabbros, cataclastic rocks, ophiolitic melange, granitic rocks, pegmatite and lamprophyre dykes. The presence of radioactivity associated with the heavy bearing minerals in construction materials—like granite—increased interest in the extraction process. As it turns out, granitic rocks play an important economic part in the examination of an area’s surroundings. The radionuclide content is measured by using an NaI (Tl)-detector. In the mineralized pegmatites, U (326 to 2667 ppm), Th (562 to 4010 ppm), RaeU (495 to 1544 ppm) and K (1.38 to 9.12%) ranged considerably with an average of 1700 ppm, 2881.86 ppm, 1171.82 ppm and 5.04%, respectively. Relationships among radioelements clarify that radioactive mineralization in the studied pegmatites is magmatic and hydrothermal. A positive equilibrium condition confirms uranium addition to the studied rocks. This study determined 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations in pegmatites samples and assessed the radiological risks associated with these rocks. The activity concentrations of 226Ra (13,176 ± 4394 Bq kg−1), 232Th (11,883 ± 5644 Bq kg−1) and 40K (1573 ± 607 Bq kg−1) in pegmatites samples (P) are greater than the global average. The high activity of the mineralized pegmatite is mainly attributed to the presence of uranium mineral (autunite), uranophane, kasolite and carnotite, thorium minerals (thorite, thorianite and uranothorite) as well as accessories minerals—such as zircon and monazite. To assess the dangerous effects of pegmatites in the studied area, various radiological hazard factors (external, internal hazard indices, radium equivalent activity and annual effective dose) are estimated. The investigated samples almost surpassed the recommended allowable thresholds for all of the environmental factors.
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Radiological Investigation on Sediments: A Case Study of Wadi Rod Elsayalla the Southeastern Desert of Egypt. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app112411884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The presence of heavy radioactive minerals in the studied granitoids from which the Wadi sediments leads to the study of the exposure to emitted gamma rays from the terrestrial radionuclides, such as 238U, 232Th, and 40K. The geological study revealed that the Wadi sediments derived from the surrounding granitoids, such as syenogranite, alkali feldspar granite, and quartz syenite. The mineral analysis confirmed that the granitoids were enriched with radioactive minerals, such as uranothorite as well as monazite, zircon, yttrocolumbite, and allanite. The mean activity of the 238U, 232Th, and 40K concentrations are 62.2 ± 20.8, 84.2 ± 23.3, and 949.4 ± 172.5 Bq kg−1, respectively, for the investigated Wadi sediments, exceeding the reported limit of 33, 45 and 412 Bq kg−1, respectively. Public exposure to emitted gamma radiation is detected by estimating many radiological hazard indices, such as the radium equivalent content (Raeq), external and internal hazard indices (Hex and Hin), annual effective dose (AED), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), and excess lifetime cancer (ELCR). The obtained results of the radiological hazards parameters showed that public exposure to emitted gamma radiation can induce various dangerous health effects. Thus, the application of the investigated sediments in different building materials and infrastructures fields is not safe. A multivariate statistical analysis (MSA) was applied to detect radionuclide correlations with the radiological hazard parameters estimated in the granite samples.
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The presence of primordial radionuclides in powdered milk and estimation of the concomitant ingestion dose. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2021.109597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Ugbede FO, Osahon OD, Agbalagba EO. Radiological Risk Assessment of 238U, 232Th and 40K in Soil and Their Uptake by Rice Cultivated in CAS Paddy Environment of Abakaliki, Nigeria. CHEMISTRY AFRICA 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s42250-021-00244-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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