Radioactivity and radiological impact of industrial raw materials in Korea
2019
Hassan, N. M. | Chae, J. S.
Natural radionuclides of ²²⁶Ra (²³⁸U), ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in raw materials used in building and cosmetic materials produced in Korea were measured using a γ-ray spectrometer (HPGe). The radionuclide concentrations ranged from 0.06 ± 0.01 to 4.13 ± 0.21 Bq g⁻¹ for ²²⁶Ra, 0.08 ± 0.01 to 33.6 ± 1.9 Bq g⁻¹ for ²³²Th, and from minimum detectable activity to 4.06 ± 0.36 Bq g⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K, respectively. The ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th contents in a majority of samples were higher than the exemption level recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency of 1 Bq g⁻¹ for ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th and 10 Bq g⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K; however, the ⁴⁰K content in all the selected raw materials was lower than this level. Moreover, it was observed that these materials were richer in thorium than uranium, which implies that these raw materials contain variable amounts of monazite ore. Radiological indices of radium equivalent, gamma-index, absorbed radiation, and equivalent gamma-doses were also calculated. The results indicate a potential radiation hazard, which highlight the necessity of radiation-regulation and routine monitoring.
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