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Abstract
Elevated levels of 214Pb and 214Bi activity were observed in oily sludge samples and the possible risk they could pose to the environment are investigated. 214Pb and 214Bi levels can be used to estimate indirectly the prominence of radon (222Rn), which is considered to be significant ecological hazard at abnormal levels. The sludge itself is regarded as prospective building material for constructing pavements, carparks and shopping malls; and is also disposed off on ‘sludge‐farms’ to enrich soil. The approximate literature guideline for these radioistopes in soil and regular sludge is around 200 Bq/kg. Levels in the samples investigated were more than four times this level. The distribution of this radioactivity was subsequently investigated over a one‐year period extending from January 2004 to December 2004.