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Shrestha AK, Shrestha GK, Shah BR, Koirala RP. Assessment of radioactivity in sand samples from eastern Nepal in perspective of radiological hazards. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2024; 200:429-436. [PMID: 38221673 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncad324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the sand samples and the health hazards associated with them utilizing a NaI (Tl) gamma spectrometer. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be 24.8 ± 10.1, 39.8 ± 16.4 and 531.3 ± 52.8 Bq kg-1, respectively. The calculated radiological hazard parameters, including radium equivalent activity, absorbed gamma dose and effective dose rate, were found to be 122.7 ± 34.0 Bq kg-1, 57.7 ± 14.9 nGy h-1 and 0.3 ± 0.1 mSv y-1, respectively. Notably, these results were observed to be below the recommended thresholds. Other measured hazard indices were also lower than the prescribed values. From a radiological perspective, the present study concludes that the sand samples do not pose any threat to human health when utilized as a building material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Shrestha
- Damak Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Damak, Nepal
- Central Department of Physics, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal
| | | | | | - Ram Prasad Koirala
- Mahendra Morang Adarsh Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Biratnagar, Nepal
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Barbosa da Silva L, Faria da Silva L, Omar P Orejuela C, Junior VB, da Silva AX. Assessment and estimation of the effective dose due to external exposure from natural radioactivity of sands used in civil construction in the state of Rio de Janeiro,Brazil. Appl Radiat Isot 2024; 205:111157. [PMID: 38176332 DOI: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2023.111157] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
The presence of naturally occurring radioactivity in sand and other building materials results in indoor and outdoor exposure to the public. Sand is one of the main components in civil construction alongside cement, crushed stone and bricks. Thus, this research was carried out in twenty sand samples with the objective of investigating the hazard indices of natural radiation, due to the presence of 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in sand samples collected in some locations in the state of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), analyzing by gamma spectrometry and using an HPGe detector. The technique used for gamma analysis was gamma spectrometry, and the software used to analyze peaks and obtain counts was LabSOCS. In this context, the average activity concentration values of 226Ra (66.7 ± 1.2) and 40K (647 ± 31) Bq kg-1 are higher than the world mean activity concentration of 50, 50 and 500 Bq kg-1 for these three radionuclides. However, the value of 232Th (40.6 ± 0.7) Bq kg-1 and Raeq (175 ± 5) Bq kg-1 are less than the world average of 50 Bq kg-1 and 370 Bq kg-1, respectively. The estimation of the average values for Annual Effective Dose (0.51 ± 0.01) and Dutch Radiation Performance Index (0.52 ± 0.01) was carried out, with values below the maximum recommended limit for the public. Only one sample had a higher value and the other samples are within the levels required for environmental control. However, the mean values found in this present study, when compared to those of other authors mentioned here, showed higher values. Therefore, most samples have safe values to be used by people in building their homes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas Faria da Silva
- Nuclear Engineering Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; School of Chemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | | | - Vanderlei B Junior
- Nuclear Engineering Program, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Ogungbemi KI, Adedokun MB, Ibitoye AZ, Oyebola OO, Owoade RL. Estimation of radiological impact of the activities of Olusosun Dump Site on workers and dwellers of Olusosun, in Lagos Southwest Nigeria. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2023; 64:53-62. [PMID: 36371757 PMCID: PMC9855325 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrac067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study assessed the potential radiological risks associated with the activities on Olusosun dump site on workers and dwellers of Olusosun community. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K from of soil and water samples were determined using High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. The background radiation level of Olusosun dump site was measured using a portable Geiger-Müller counter-Radeye B20 survey meter. The mean value of background radiation was 1.46 mSv/yr. This value is about 46% higher than the recommended reference level of 1.0 mSv/yr for the public. The mean activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K in the soil samples were 19.1 ± 3.2, 29.1 ± 4.4 and 171.5 ± 6.1 Bq/kg respectively which are about 45.4%, 35.3% and 59.2% lower than the world's average levels. For the water samples, the mean activity concentrations obtained for 238U, 232Th and 40K are 0.4 ± 0.4, 0.8 ± 0.2 and 0.8 ± 0.3 Bq/l respectively. These are about 99.9% and 20% lower than WHO reference levels for 238U and 232Th. The mean absorbed dose rate in air (D), Annual effective dose (AED) outdoor, Radium Equivalent (Req), External hazard index (Hex) internal hazard index (Hin) and Excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) from soil samples were 33.6 nGy/h, 41.0 μSv/yr, 73.1 Bq/kg and 0.2, 0.3 and $1.4\times{10}^{-4}$, respectively. Absorbed dose in air D, AED outdoor, Req, Hex, Hin and ELCR are 41.1%, 41.4%, 80.3%, 80%, 75% and 50% lower than their corresponding world's average and references. The estimated AEDw from ingestion of water is 148.9 ± 50.4 μSv/yr, this is about 49% higher than the WHO reference level of 100.0 μSv/y from ingestion of water. The radiological hazard indices estimated from soil samples do not indicate any potential risks to the users. The elevated background radiation level of the dump site, and AEDw from ingestion of water, however, suggest that the activities on Olusosun dump site pose potential radiological risks on workers on the site and the public from consumption of water from Olusosun community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayode Idowu Ogungbemi
- Corresponding author. Department of Physics, University of Lagos, Akoka-Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria. Email Address: ; Tel: +234 8134443165
| | | | - Ayo Zaccheaus Ibitoye
- Department of Radiation Biology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis and Radiography, College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos 100254, Nigeria
| | | | - Ronke Latifat Owoade
- National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200213, Nigeria
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Zeb J, Wasim M, Shah SA, Khanam S, Tahir H, Qadri M. CHARACTERIZATION OF SAND SAMPLES FROM KARACHI BEACHES USING GAMMA SPECTROMETRY AND XRD. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 189:234-241. [PMID: 32195552 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chemical phase and distribution of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) were determined for sand samples collected from ten different beaches of Karachi. All samples, except one, were identified with major and minor phases as SiO2 and CaCO3, respectively. The average activity concentrations were 24.9, 25.0 and 239 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K, respectively. Including all samples, the average radium equivalent activity was 79.1 Bq kg-1. The external and internal radiation hazard indices and representative level index were all found below unity. The average air absorbed dose rate at 1 m above the sand due to the natural radionuclides was 18.3 nGy h-1, which was less than the world average for soil. The corresponding annual effective dose rate was 22.4 μSv y-1. It was found that Raeq had positive significant correlation with the amount of quartz present at the beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jahan Zeb
- Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mohammad Wasim
- Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sardar A Shah
- Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, P.O. Nilore, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Safia Khanam
- Centre of Excellence in Marine Biology, University of Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Hajira Tahir
- Department of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Masooda Qadri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan
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Assessment of Levels of Natural Radioactivity in Sand Samples Collected from Ekalakala in Machakos County, Kenya. ScientificWorldJournal 2020; 2020:7269840. [PMID: 32425704 PMCID: PMC7222605 DOI: 10.1155/2020/7269840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Construction sand is naturally polluted with radionuclides of terrestrial origin. In this study, specific activities of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in 30 sand samples collected along the Ekalakala River, Machakos County, Kenya, were measured using a high-purity germanium γ-ray spectrometer. The specific activities ranged between 9.7 Bqkg−1 and 24.0 Bqkg−1, 11.5 Bqkg−1 and 26.2 Bqkg−1, and 820 Bqkg−1 and 1850 Bqkg−1 for 238U, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. While the mean specific activities for 238U and 232Th were less than half of the world average values of 33 Bqkg−1 and 45 Bqkg−1, respectively, the average specific activity of 40K was significant since it was three times the global mean value of 420 Bqkg−1. A calculated absorbed radiation dose rate for the sand varied between 46.8 nGyh−1 and 94.2 nGyh−1 with a mean of 68.5 ± 13.3 nGyh−1. This is not significantly different from the world average dose rate of 60 nGyh−1 for geological samples. The AEDR and Hex had maximum values of 0.29 mSvy−1 and 0.52, respectively, both within the recommended limits of radiation exposure for members of the general public. Based on these results, the sand from Ekalakala River does not pose significant health implication to the sand harvesters as well as the inhabitants of the houses constructed using this sand.
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Eke C, Boztosun I. Determination of activity concentration of natural and artificial radionuclides in sand samples from mediterranean coast of Antalya in Turkey. KERNTECHNIK 2015. [DOI: 10.3139/124.110474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
In this paper, we attempt to determine the activity concentration of natural and artificial radionuclides in 37 sand samples from the Mediterranean coast of Antalya in Turkey by using a high purity Germanium (HpGe) detector. 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs activity concentrations, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, radium equivalent activity, external and internal hazard index of sand samples are determined res-pectively. The average values are 13.43 ± 0.21 Bq/kg, 6.96 ± 0.06 Bq/kg and, 122.46 ± 18.58 Bq/kg, for 238U, 232Th and 40K respectively. Most of the activity concentration values are less than below minimum detection limit for 137Cs. The average values of the absorbed dose rate D (nGy/h), annual effective dose equivalent AEDE(μSv/y), radium equivalent activity Raeq (Bq/kg), external hazard index Hex and internal hazard index Hin are 15.52 nGy/h, 19.03 μSv/y, 32.81 Bq/kg, 0.09 and 0.12 respectively. It is observed that 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs activity concentrations, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent, radium equivalent activity are in the limit of the published values, external and internal hazard index values are less than unity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Eke
- Akdeniz University , Faculty of Education, Department of Secondary Science and Mathematics Education, Division of Physics Education, 07058, Antalya , Turkey
- Akdeniz Universitesi , Nükleer Bilimler Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi, 07058, Antalya , Turkey
| | - I. Boztosun
- Akdeniz Universitesi , Nükleer Bilimler Uygulama ve Araştırma Merkezi, 07058, Antalya , Turkey
- Akdeniz University , Faculty of Science, Department of Physics, 07058, Antalya , Turkey
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Kaur S, Singh K. Investigation of lead borate glasses doped with aluminium oxide as gamma ray shielding materials. ANN NUCL ENERGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2013.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Almayahi B, Tajuddin A, Jaafar M. Effect of the natural radioactivity concentrations and 226Ra/238U disequilibrium on cancer diseases in Penang, Malaysia. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2012.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Abstract
Activity concentrations of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in 45 samples of different building materials used in Iraq were measured using gamma-spectroscopy system based on high-purity germanium detector with an efficiency of 40 %. Radium equivalent activity, air-absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, external and internal hazard indices and alpha index due to radon inhalation originating from building materials were measured to assess the potential radiological hazard associated with these building materials. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides (226)Ra, (232)Th and 40K were found to range from below detection limit (BDL) to 223.7 ± 9, BDL to 93.0 ± 3 and BDL to 343.1 ± 12, respectively. Values of average radium equivalent activity, air-absorbed dose rate, indoor and outdoor annual effective doses, external and internal hazard indices and alpha index ranged from 6.5 to 124.9, 16.2 to 89.5 (nGy h(-1)), 0.08 to 0.44 mSv, 0.02-0.11 mSv, 0.09 to 0.53, 0.13 to 0.69 and 0.03 to 0.62, respectively. These values indicate a low dose. Therefore, the building materials used in the current study are quite safe to be used as building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal K Ali
- College of Science, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq.
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Cevik U, Damla N, Kobya A, Celik A, Kara A. Radiation dose estimation and mass attenuation coefficients of marble used in Turkey. ANN NUCL ENERGY 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2010.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Damla N, Cevik U, Kobya AI, Celik A, Celik N. Assessment of natural radiation exposure levels and mass attenuation coefficients of lime and gypsum samples used in Turkey. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2010; 170:457-466. [PMID: 19921450 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-009-1246-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2009] [Accepted: 10/29/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in lime and gypsum samples used as building materials in Turkey were measured using gamma spectrometry. The mean activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were found to be 38±16, 20±9, and 156±54 Bq kg(-1) for lime and found to be 17±6, 13±5, and 429±24 Bq kg(-1) for gypsum, respectively. The radiological hazards due to the natural radioactivity in the samples were inferred from calculations of radium equivalent activities (Raeq), indoor absorbed dose rate in the air, the annual effective dose, and gamma and alpha indices. These radiological parameters were evaluated and compared with the internationally recommended limits. The experimental mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) of the samples were determined in the energy range 81-1,332 keV. The experimental mass attenuation coefficients were compared with theoretical values obtained using XCOM. It is found that the calculated values and the experimental results are in good agreement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nevzat Damla
- Department of Physics, Batman University, 72060, Batman, Turkey.
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