RADIOLOGICAL IMPACT OF USING DECORATIVE GRANITE AS AN ATTENUATOR OF IONIZING RADIATION. Issue 1 (29th October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hassan, Nabil M; Lee, J B
• Is Part Of: Radiation protection dosimetry. Volume 199:Issue 1(2023)
• Page Start: 11
• Page End: 19
• Publication Date: 2022-10-29
• Subjects: Radiation dosimetry -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Safety measures -- Periodicals; 363.1799
• DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncac213
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0144-8420

Abstract

Abstract: Granite is a widely available rock, which can be used as a shielding material, for bulk in the form of the aggregate in concrete. It has the weakness that it is more radioactive than many other rocks, which can be used in concrete. This paper looks at its properties as a shielding material and the activity level. Thus, the concentrations of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K, in granite were measured using a high pure germanium detector (HPGe). They were ranged from (15 ± 4 to 49 ± 5) Bq kg −1 for 226 Ra, (22 ± 4 to 78 ± 4 Bq kg −1 ) for 232 Th and (791 ± 13 to 1231 ± 15 Bq kg −1 ) for 40 K. Radiological indices of radium equivalent concentration (Raeq ), external (Hex ), internal (Hin ) and annual effective dose were less than worldwide recommended limits. The results emphasized, the granite samples had no radiation hazard. Nevertheless, the mass attenuation coefficients of granite samples were measured for the gamma rays of energy range 122–1408 keV. The mass attenuation coefficients of the studied granite samples were ranged from 0.05 to 0.15 cm 2 g −1 . In addition, the average the half-value layer of granite was varied from 1.8 cm for 122 keV to 5.2 cm for 1408 keV. The results are that the attenuation characteristics are typical and match the values given by NIST for 'concrete' and that the activity levels of the samples examined are acceptable. Thus the granite may be used as an attenuator for ionizing radiation.