Natural Radioactivity in the Reinforced Cement Concrete Building Materials Used in the Southern Districts of Manipur, India | Chapter 3 | Chemical and Materials Sciences: Research Findings Vol. 4

This study aimed to measure the amount of natural radiation found in different building materials used in the southern parts of Manipur, India. These materials include cement, concrete, sand, and bricks, which are commonly used in Reinforced Cement Concrete (RCC) construction.

 

The study looked at the levels of three naturally occurring radioactive elements: Radium-²²⁶ (²²⁶Ra), Thorium-²³² (²³²Th), and Potassium-40 (40K).

 

Observations:Portland cement had average radioactivity levels of 40 BqKg^-1 for ²²⁶Ra, 38 BqKg^-1 for ²³²Th, and 1644 BqKg^-1 for 40

Concrete had 34 BqKg^-1 for ²²⁶Ra, 61 BqKg^-1 for ²³²Th, and 547 BqKg^-1 for 40

Sand had 46 BqKg^-1 for ²²⁶Ra, 112 BqKg^-1 for ²³²Th, and 1580 BqKg^-1 for 40

Bricks had 31 BqKg^-1 for ²²⁶Ra, 148 BqKg^-1 for ²³²Th, and 1388 BqKg^-1 for 40

The study also discussed how this radiation might affect people. The average annual radiation dose people might receive from these materials is about 1.7 millisieverts per year (mSvy^-1), which may vary between 0.8 and 3.0 mSvy^-1.

 

The gamma radiation index, which helps to estimate the safety of the materials, was on average 1.0 (ranging from 0.5 to 1.9). A value higher than 1 could suggest higher radiation exposure.

 

Finally, the extra yearly radiation caused specifically by these building materials ranged from 0.1 to 2.3 mSvy^-1, with an average of 1.0 mSvy^-1.

 

Author (s) Details

 

B. Arunkumar Sharma
Department of Radiation Oncology, RIMS, Imphal-795004, Manipur, India.

 

A. Ronibala Devi
Department of Radiation Oncology, RIMS, Imphal-795004, Manipur, India.

 

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/cmsrf/v4/5615