Elevated concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in sand: An essential raw material used in Bangladeshi dwellings

Abstract

Sand is one of the main materials used in the construction industry. Elevated concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in sand may cause great harm to dwellers. Present study determines concentrations of terrestrial radionuclides in sand that is widely used as a raw material in the construction industry in Bangladesh, via conventional HPGe γ-ray spectrometry. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the analysed samples were found as 36.8 ± 3.9, 58.9 ± 6.0 and 755 ± 91 Bqkg−1 in Base sand, 68.1 ± 5.3, 185.7 ± 9.9 and 1032 ± 104 Bqkg−1 in Sylhet sand, and 38.1 ± 3.6, 74.7 ± 5.9 and 636 ± 77 Bqkg−1 in Aster sand. All data show relatively higher values than the world average of 35, 30, 400 Bqkg−1, respectively. Key hazard parameters were estimated to realize the radiation effects on human health due to the use of sand as construction and building materials. The estimated parameters for Sylhet sand show relatively higher values than the population-weighted world average values, prescribed by regulatory bodies. Results show that the Sylhet sand may pose a significant radiation hazard to the dwellers via prolonged exposure, and necessary precautionary steps need to be taken to ensure safe dwellings while using this sand for construction and decorative purposes.

Assessment of Radioactive Materials in Albite Granites from Abu Rusheid and Um Naggat, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt

“…The assessment of the radiation doses received by humans from natural sources is of special importance because the absorbed dose by γ-ray exposure depends not only on the γ-ray energy but also on the material, owing to changes in its physical properties [32,33]. There is concern that some rocks transmit excessive radiation doses to the body due to the γ-rays emitted by the 232 Th decay chain; the 214 Pb and 214 Bi progeny of 226 Ra and 40 K also contribute to the total body radiation dose.…”