Natural radioactivity measurement and evaluation of radiological hazards in some commercial flooring materials used in Thiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu, India

Abstract

The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in some commercial flooring materials used in Tiruvannamalai, Tamilnadu, India, were measured using NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectrometer. The natural radionuclide contents, Ra equivalent activities and various hazard indices were also calculated to assess the radiation hazard. It was found that none of the results exceed the recommended limit value. All samples under investigation are within the recommended safety limit and do not pose significant radiation hazards. This study can be used as a reference for more extensive studies of the same subject in future.

Keywords

• Natural radioactivity
• Building materials
• Radiological parameters