An overview of natural and anthropogenic radioactivity distribution in various building materials used in Algerian dwellings

ABSTRACT

Building materials are classified as a source of hazardous contamination because of their naturally occurring radionuclide content, mainly uranium and thorium families and the radioactive isotope of potassium. This can be related to their natural composition on soil and rocks. In order to estimate the harmful effects of ionising radiations emitted by these materials, broad investigations of natural radioactivity levels must be established. In this study, 31 samples of different materials (sand, brick, ceramic, cement, clinker, flour and gypsum) used in Algerian dwellings were analysed using a high-resolution HPGe semiconductor detector. Average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were found 16.05 ± 0.53 Bq.kg⁻¹, 17.44 ± 0.97 Bq.kg⁻¹ and 260.31 ± 6.81 Bq.kg⁻¹, respectively. These results were within the worldwide average values. The presence of the anthropogenic radionuclide ¹³⁷Cs was found in three sand samples with low activity concentrations. Radiological hazards parameters and received doses were calculated and compared to the global average values. Moreover, a comparison of the obtained values in this study with the literature was made. Further, statistical analyses were performed and discussed for the resulted data.

KEYWORDS:

• Building materials
• ionising radiations
• HPGe semiconductor detector activity
• concentrations and radiological hazards
• statistical analyses

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).