Monitoring of radioactivity level in autoclaved aerated concrete produced in romania and risk assessment

Dorina Nicolina Isopescu1, Brindusa Mihaela Sluser (Robu)2, Fotini Noli3, Raimondas Buckus4, Igor Cretescu2

1 Gheorghe Asachi Tehnical University of Iasi, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Building Services, 58 Prof.dr.docent Dimitrie Mangeron Street, 700050 Iasi, Romania
2 Gheorghe Asachi Tehnical University of Iasi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, Department of Environmental Engineering and Management, 73 Prof.dr.docent Dimitrie Mangeron Street, 700050 Iasi, Romania
3 Aristotle University, Department of Chemistry, Radioactivity Laboratory, Thessaloniki, Greece
4 Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, M. K. Ciurlionio str. 21, LT-03101, Vilnius, Lithuania

Abstract


This paper presents the results of measurements related to the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) used as building materials for various constructions in Romania. Radiation index (I) and the hazard index (HI) were estimated to assess the risk arising from the usage of AAC materials. Our study considered various AAC samples produced by different companies, in 2015. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were measured using by a gamma-ray spectrometer with HPGe detector. The average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be 24.6, 15.7 and respectively, 221.3 Bq/kg. The findings were compiled in accordance with the normative of national and international reference, and showed a very good environmental behavior regarding the emission of radionuclides from the analyzed AAC samples. There is no risk for human beings and the radiation index is under the regulations, even if the worst scenario is considered as reference (<0.5), the hazard index (HI) being in all situations under the acceptable level.

Keywords


autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC); natural radioactivity; radionuclides; risks

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