Estimation of radiation hazard indices from natural radioactivity of some rocks

Estimation of radiation hazard indices from natural radioactivity of some rocks 1 corresp first-author E-mail: mousa_19@yahoo.com E-mail: mousa_19@yahoo.com mousa_19@yahoo.com 1 1 2 3 1 Physics Department, Faculty of Science Qena, South Valley University, Egypt; Physics Department, Faculty of Science Qena, South Valley University, Egypt; Institute of the Radiation Protection and Radioecology , Hannover University, Germany; Institute of the Radiation Protection and Radioecology , Hannover University, Germany; Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Egypt Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Egypt Different samples of igneous and metamorphic rocks from Egypt and Germany have been considered to measure γ-ray activity concentrations due to naturally occurring, potentially hazardous radonuclides 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K. The radiation hazard parameters including radiation equivalent activity, gamma-absorbed dose rate, and external and internal hazard indices have been estimated. The gamma-absorbed dose rates in air of rocks in Egypt range from 4.2 to 128.5 nGy·h -1 with a mean value of 55.3nGy·h -1 . For igneous and metamorphic rocks from Germany, the values of absorbed dose rates fluctuate from 5.1 to 148.6nGy·h -1 , with a mean value of 60.9nGy·h -1 . Generally, it is found that the radiation hazard indices in common igneous rocks are distinctly higher in acidic than in ultrabasic rocks. The results are discussed and compared with the corresponding published data. Natural radioactivity Rocks Hazard indices References Singh S , Rani A , Mahajan R K . Radiation Measurements 2005 , 39 : 431 . Radiation Measurements Iqbal M , Tufail M , Mirza M S . J Environmental Radioactivity , 2000 , 51 : 255 . J Environmental Radioactivity Tennisseen A Q . Nature of earth materials . NJ 07632: Prentice-Hall , 1994 , 333 . Nature of earth materials Hamilton E I . Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J , 1971 , 32 : 398 . Am. Ind. Hyg. Assoc. J Quindos L S , Fernandez P I , Soto J , et al . Health Phys , 1994 , 66 : 194 . Health Phys Yu K N , Guan Z J , Stoks M J , et al . J Environ. Radioactivity 1992 , 17 : 31 . J Environ. Radioactivity NEA-OECD, Nuclear Energy Agency . Exposure to radiation from natural radioactivity in building materials. Report by NEA Group of Experts , OECD , Paris , 1979 . Exposure to radiation from natural radioactivity in building materials. Report by NEA Group of Experts Alam M N , Chowdhury M I , Kamal M , et al . Bangladesh Journal of Environmental Radioactivity , 1999 . Bangladesh Journal of Environmental Radioactivity UNSCEAR , Report to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes . New York . United Nations Publication E.94.IX.2 , 1993 . Report to the General Assembly, with scientific annexes UNSCEAR , Sources and effects of ionizing radiation . New York : United Nations Publication , 2000 . Sources and effects of ionizing radiation EC112: Radiological protection principles concerning the natural radioactivity of building materials . European Commission , Brussels , 1999 . EC112: Radiological protection principles concerning the natural radioactivity of building materials Krieger R , Betonwerk Fertigteil Techn . 1981 , 47 : 468 . Betonwerk Fertigteil Techn Krisuk E M , Tarasov S I , Shamov N I , et al . A study of radioactivity in building materials , Research Institute for Radiation Hygiene , Leningrad , 1971 . A study of radioactivity in building materials Stranden E . Physica Norvegica , 1976 , 8 : 167 . Physica Norvegica Hewamanna R , Sumithrarachchi C S , Mahawatte P , et al . Applied Radiation and Isotopes , 2001 , 54 : 365 . Applied Radiation and Isotopes ICRP-60: ICRP 1990 Recommendations on Radiological Protection , Oxford : Pergamon Press , 1990 . ICRP-60: ICRP 1990 Recommendations on Radiological Protection 10.1016/S1001-8042(06)60023-7 X125,TL817 + .2 2005-03-21 2006-04-20 2021-01-19 2006 Nuclear Science and Techniques 02 17