Radiological Hazards for Marble and Granite Used at Shak El Thouban Industrial Zone in Egypt

Abstract

The background level of radiation in the natural environment surrounds us at all times. Levels of natural occurring radioactivity in marble and granite used at Shak El Thouban industrial zone in Cairo, Egypt have been investigated using HPGe detector through gamma-ray spectrometry. The activity concentration of radionuclides in the 238 U-, 232 Th-series and 40 K has been determined. The average activity concentration of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K for marble samples w as 23.77 Bq/kg ranged from (10.91 to 45.4), 10.75 Bq/kg ranged from (5.46 to 23.61) and 520.43 Bq/kg ranged from (382.30 to 1132.41), respectively. The 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K activity concentration for granite samples were 54.31 Bq/kg ranged from (12.04 to 106.34), 113.57 Bq/kg ranged from (23.91 to 270.36) and 7867.51 Bq/kg ranged from (2017.60 to 11436.91), respectively. Concerning the radiological risk, the radium equivalent activity, external and internal radiation hazard indices, the radiation level index and absorbed dose rate were evaluated. The mass exhalation rates of 222 Rn and emanation coefficient have been also calculated. The mass exhalation rate of radon w as found to be from 14.86 to 137.13 and 16.48 to 155.26 μBq/kg ·s for marble and granite samples, respectively. The mean values of the specific activity of 226 Ra, activity of 238 U before and after sealing time and the mass exhalation rate of radon for granite samples are twice that for marble samples. All radiological indices and the mass exhalation rate of radon are lower than the permissible levels for building material in all marble samples, while all granite samples are higher and unsafe and pose a risk to the workers and users of these products due to the emanation of radon that may accumulate by time, especially in closed spaces.