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Estokova A, Singovszka E, Vertal M. Investigation of Building Materials' Radioactivity in a Historical Building-A Case Study. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:ma15196876. [PMID: 36234216 PMCID: PMC9570568 DOI: 10.3390/ma15196876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The paper investigates a possible hazard originating from natural radionuclides in building materials in a selected historical building being reconstructed for housing. Both outdoor and indoor risks were evaluated through the radiological indices and estimated doses, based on measured activities of natural radionuclides in stone and brick materials of the building. The average measured activity concentrations of radionuclides were 7.32 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 40.05 Bq/kg for 232Th, and 546.64 Bq/kg for 40K radionuclides. The average total activity concentration in building materials (594.0 Bq/kg) exceeded the world average value. A correlation was found between the potassium content in the building material samples and the total activity of radionuclides. The gamma indices, Iγ, calculated for the samples, ranged in an interval of 0.26-0.60, not exceeding the restricted limit for bulk materials Iγ = 1. The average annual effective dose due to building materials was 0.53 mSv/y, which does not exceed the limit (1 mSv/y), however, it contributes to a gamma dose excess that is higher than recommended (0.3 mSv/y at the most). The bricks were responsible for a higher level of natural radiation than natural stone material. Nevertheless, based on the radiation protection requirements, it can be concluded that the building can be used for residential purposes after the reconstruction, as no significant human health impact is expected due to the radioactivity of building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Estokova
- Institute of Sustainable and Circular Construction, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Kosice, Vysokoskolská 4, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421-55-602-4265
| | - Eva Singovszka
- Department of Strategic Development, Municipality of Kosice, Trieda SNP 48/A, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia
| | - Marian Vertal
- Institute of Architectural Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Kosice, Vysokoskolská 4, 042 00 Kosice, Slovakia
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Adelikhah M, Imani M, Hegedűs M, Kovács T. Modelling of indoor external and internal exposure due to different building materials containing NORMs in the vicinity of a HNBRA in Mahallat, Iran. Heliyon 2022; 8:e08909. [PMID: 35198774 PMCID: PMC8842013 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e08909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, by considering the Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) contained in the building materials used in Mahallat, Iran - an area exposed to a high level of natural background radiation - residential scenarios were simulated by applying the computer code RESRAD-BUILD to estimate the long-term Effective Dose rate of three different cases of basic building materials utilized in walls, floors and ceilings. Maximum effective dose rates of between 504 and 1433 μSv yr-1 were calculated in the second case study, tiled cement floor. The highest external and radon doses were also calculated to be 369 and 1064 μSv, respectively. The simulation results revealed that 232Th and 40K contribute the most and least to the indoor dose, respectively. As a result of a sensitivity analysis, it was found that the air exchange rate is a key variable to easily reduce the radiological impacts of building materials. It was also shown that due to the presence of 226Ra, the sensitivity of effective dose to changes in wall thickness was higher than other radionuclides found in the building materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammademad Adelikhah
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Morteza Imani
- Engineering Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Miklós Hegedűs
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
| | - Tibor Kovács
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Research Centre for Biochemical, Environmental and Chemical Engineering, University of Pannonia, 8200 Veszprém, Hungary
- Corresponding author.
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Braysher E, Russell B, Collins SM, van Es EM, Shearman R, Molin FD, Read D, Anagnostakis M, Arndt R, Bednár A, Bituh T, Bolivar JP, Cobb J, Dehbi N, Di Pasquale S, Gascó C, Gilligan C, Jovanovič P, Lawton A, Lees AMJ, Lencsés A, Mitchell L, Mitsios I, Petrinec B, Rawcliffe J, Shyti M, Suárez-Navarro JA, Suursoo S, Tóth-Bodrogi E, Vaasma T, Verheyen L, Westmoreland J, de With G. Development of a reference material for analysing naturally occurring radioactive material from the steel industry. Anal Chim Acta 2020; 1141:221-229. [PMID: 33248656 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2020.10.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Accurate measurement of naturally occurring radionuclides in blast furnace slag, a by-product of the steel industry, is required for compliance with building regulations where it is often used as an ingredient in cement. A matrix reference blast furnace slag material has been developed to support traceability in these measurements. Raw material provided by a commercial producer underwent stability and homogeneity testing, as well as characterisation of matrix constituents, to provide a final candidate reference material. The radionuclide content was then determined during a comparison exercise that included 23 laboratories from 14 countries. Participants determined the activity per unit mass for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K using a range of techniques. The consensus values obtained from the power-moderated mean of the reported participant results were used as indicative activity per unit mass values for the three radionuclides: A0(226Ra) = 106.3 (34) Bq·kg-1, A0(232Th) = 130.0 (48) Bq·kg-1 and A0(40K) = 161 (11) Bq·kg-1 (where the number in parentheses is the numerical value of the combined standard uncertainty referred to the corresponding last digits of the quoted result). This exercise helps to address the current shortage of NORM industry reference materials, putting in place infrastructure for production of further reference materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Braysher
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK.
| | - B Russell
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - S M Collins
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - E M van Es
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - R Shearman
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK
| | - F Dal Molin
- CEFAS, Lowestoft, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0HT, UK
| | - D Read
- National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 0LW, UK; University of Surrey, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - M Anagnostakis
- Nuclear Engineering Department, National Technical University of Athens, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - R Arndt
- IAF-Radioökologie GmbH, Wilhelm-Rönsch-Straße 9, 01454, Radeberg, Germany
| | - A Bednár
- RadiÖko Ltd., H-8200, Veszprém, Wartha Vince Str. 1/2, Hungary
| | - T Bituh
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J P Bolivar
- University of Huelva, Department of Integrated Sciences, Natural Resources, Health and Environment (RENSMA), Campus El Carmen, 21007, Huelva, Spain
| | - J Cobb
- Jacobs, Renaissance Centre, 601 Faraday Street, Birchwood Park, Warrington, WA3 6GN, UK
| | - N Dehbi
- ASTERALIS (VEOLIA NUCLEAR SOLUTIONS), 556 Chemin de L'Islon, 38670, Chasse sur Rhone, France
| | - S Di Pasquale
- Institute for Radioelements (IRE) - Radioactivity Measurement Laboratory, Avenue de L'Espérance,1, 6220, Fleurus, Belgium
| | - C Gascó
- CIEMAT, Avda de La Complutense 40, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - P Jovanovič
- ZVD D.o.o., Chengdujska Street 25, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - A Lawton
- UK National Nuclear Laboratory, NNL Preston, Springfields, Salwick, Lancashire, PR4 0XJ, UK
| | - A M J Lees
- Cavendish Nuclear Ltd, Greeson Court, Westlakes Science & Technology Park, Moor Row, Cumbria, CA24 3HZ, UK
| | - A Lencsés
- Nuclear Power Plant Paks, Environmental Monitoring Laboratory, 7030, Paks, Kurcsatov Str. 1/D, Hungary
| | - L Mitchell
- Public Health England, Centre Chemical Radiation and Environmental Hazards, Didcot, Oxon, OX11 0RQ, UK
| | - I Mitsios
- Nuclear Engineering Department, National Technical University of Athens, 15780, Athens, Greece
| | - B Petrinec
- Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Ksaverska Cesta 2, HR-10000, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - J Rawcliffe
- UK National Nuclear Laboratory, NNL Preston, Springfields, Salwick, Lancashire, PR4 0XJ, UK
| | - M Shyti
- Institute of Applied Nuclear Physics, University of Tirana, Th. Filipeu, Qesarake, Tirana, Albania
| | | | - S Suursoo
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W.Ostwaldi 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - E Tóth-Bodrogi
- Department of Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Bio- Environmental- and Chemical-engineering Research and Development Center, Faculty of Engineering, University of Pannonia, H-8200 Veszprém, Egyetem Str. 10., H-8210, Veszprém, POB 1158, Hungary
| | - T Vaasma
- University of Tartu, Institute of Physics, W.Ostwaldi 1, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - L Verheyen
- SCK CEN, Boeretang 200, 2400, Mol, Belgium
| | | | - G de With
- Nuclear Research and Consultancy Group, Utrechtseweg 310 - B50-West, 6812, AR ARNHEM, Netherlands
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Inoue K, Fukushi M, Van Le T, Tsuruoka H, Kasahara S, Nimelan V. Distribution of gamma radiation dose rate related with natural radionuclides in all of Vietnam and radiological risk assessment of the built-up environment. Sci Rep 2020; 10:12428. [PMID: 32709939 PMCID: PMC7381640 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69003-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
A built-up environment utilizes building materials containing natural radionuclides that will change radiological risks. While radiological risks have been estimated from the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in soil, it is important to evaluate the changes of these risks for the built-up environment using these building materials. Based on the direct measurements of absorbed dose rate in air and calculation of absorbed dose rate in air from activity concentrations in soil for all of Vietnam which has undergone significant economic growth in recent decades, the changes of absorbed dose rate in air and radiological risks before and after construction of many artificial structures were investigated. The results showed that the absorbed dose rates in air were clearly changed by the urbanization, and the difference ratio for all of Vietnam ranged from 0.5 to 2.1, meaning that the artificial structures have been acting as shielding materials to terrestrial gamma-rays or radiation sources. However, changes in annual effective dose in the built-up environment were small, and there was no new radiation risk from the built-up environment for Vietnam.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumasa Inoue
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan.
| | - Masahiro Fukushi
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
| | - Tan Van Le
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
- Department of Radiology, Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, 72713, Vietnam
| | - Hiroshi Tsuruoka
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Tsukuba International University, Ibaraki, 300-0051, Japan
| | - Shogo Kasahara
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
| | - Veerasamy Nimelan
- Department of Radiological Sciences, Graduate School of Human Health Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 116-8551, Japan
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Radiological and health hazards resulting from radioactivity and elemental composition of some soil samples. POLISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL PHYSICS AND ENGINEERING 2020. [DOI: 10.2478/pjmpe-2020-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Inspection of the radioactivity level in the soil is very important for human health and environmental protection. This study aims at evaluating the radiological hazards and pollution risks related to natural radionuclides and elements in the selected soil samples. Ten samples of soil were collected from different sites of Aurangabad-India and the level of radioactivity was measured using gamma-ray spectrometry with NaI (Tl) detector. Furthermore, the Physico-chemical properties such as pH, organic matter, electrical conductivity, moisture, soil texture, etc., and elemental composition of soils have been decided on using various standard techniques. The mean concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were 8.178, 17.408, and 96.496 Bq/kg, respectively, which are lower than the global average values of 35, 30, and 400 Bq/kg, respectively (UNSCEAR, 2000). The radiological hazard indices such as radium equivalent, absorbed dose, annual effective dose, internal index, external index, gamma index, excess lifetime cancer risk, etc., were calculated to assess the radiation hazards and compared with internationally recommended values which found to be lower than the permissibility limits.
The Pearson correlation was applied to determine the existing relationship between radionuclides and radiological health hazard parameters, as well as with the physicochemical properties of the soil samples. The major and trace elements presented in soils were measured and their mean concentration was ranked in the formed order (Mg>Na>Ca>K>N>Mn>Fe>P>Zn>Cu). The pollution risk parameters (Geo-accumulation index, contamination factor, degree of contamination, pollution load index, and potential ecological risk index) related to the elements in the samples were assessed and results shown that the soils under study are unpolluted with the measured elements. Generally, the radioactivity levels and pollution risks indices in the soils of the study area are within the permissible safety limits and do not cause any significant health threat to humans. Thus, the presented data provide a general background of the detectable radionuclides for the study area and can be helpful in the future as a reference for more extensive studies in the same field.
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Ziajahromi S, Khanizadeh M, Nejadkoorki F. Total effective dose equivalent assessment after exposure to high-level natural radiation using the RESRAD code. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2014; 186:1907-1915. [PMID: 24201557 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-013-3504-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The current work reports the activity concentrations of several natural radionuclides ((226)Ra, (232)Th, and (40)K) in Khak-Sefid area of Ramsar, Iran. An evaluation of total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) from exposure to high-level natural radiations is also presented. Soil samples were analyzed using a high-purity germanium detector with 80 % relative efficiency. The TEDE was calculated on a land area of 40,000 m(2) with 1.5-m thickness of contaminated zone for the member of three critical groups of farmer, construction worker, and resident using Residual Radioactive Material Guidelines (RESRAD) modeling program. It was found that the mean activity concentrations (in Bq/kg) were 23,118 ± 468, 25.8 ± 2.3, and 402.6 ± 16.5 for (226)Ra, (232)Th, and (40)K, respectively. The maximum calculated TEDE during 1,000 years was 107.1 mSv/year at year 90, 92.42 mSv/year at year 88, and 22.09 mSv/year at year 46 for farmer, resident, and construction worker scenarios, respectively. The maximum TEDE in farmer scenario can be reduced to the level below the dose limit of 1 mSv/year which is safe for public health using soil cover with thickness of 50 cm or more on the contaminated zone. According to RESRAD prediction, the TEDE received by individuals for all exposure scenarios considerably exceed the set dose limit, and it is mainly due to (226)Ra.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shima Ziajahromi
- Environmental Sciences Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University, G.C., Tehran, Iran
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