Natural Radionuclide Analysis in Building Materials Used in Bursa

In this study, a total of 27 samples of cement, brick, sand and plaster used as construction materials and marble, tile and grout from surface materials in Bursa province were randomly collected. 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclide activity concentrations of the samples were measured by NaI(Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. When the results were analyzed, it was observed that 226Ra, 232Th and 40K activity concentrations varied between BDL (Below Detection Limit) - 81.16 Bq kg-1, BDL - 94.22 Bq kg-1, BDL - 781.26 Bq kg-1, respectively. The highest mean values of 226Ra and 232Th activities belong to the cement samples with 33.6 and 43.2 Bq kg−1, respectively, while the highest average value measured for 40K belongs to the brick samples with 771.2 Bq kg−1. In addition, to evaluate the radiological hazards in the samples, radium equivalent activity (Raeq), indoor air absorbed dose rate (Din), annual effective dose rate (AEDEin), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), and gamma index (Ig) were calculated using the obtained activity values. Raeq values are below the internationally accepted limit value of 370 Bq kg-1. Din values for all construction materials except Cement 2, Cement 4 and Cement 7 samples are within the acceptable limit value range. For these building materials, the AEDEin, Hin, Hex and Ig values are below the recommended unit limit and do not pose radiological risk. With these properties, these materials can be recommended as construction materials.