ASSESSMENT OF RADIATION DOSE AND EXCESSIVE LIFE-TIME CANCER RISK FROM THE BUNAIR GRANITE, NORTHERN PAKISTAN

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2018 Jan 1;178(2):143-151. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncx095.

Abstract

Natural radioactivity was measured in Bunair Granite using high purity germanium gamma-ray spectrometer and compared to world's granites and building materials to access its suitability for the construction purpose. Average gamma-activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to be 52.41, 58.41 and 1130.12 Bq kg-1, respectively. The Indoor and outdoor radiation indices including excessive life-time cancer risk (ELCR) were calculated. The average indoor ELCR was estimated as 3.49 × 10-3. The average outdoor ELCR was assessed as 0.46 × 10-3. As a basic building material Bunair Granite should be on low propriety. For flooring, facing the buildings and as Table tops, in kitchens and other utilities it is safe.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Construction Materials*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / etiology*
  • Pakistan
  • Potassium Radioisotopes / analysis
  • Radiation Dosage*
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Radium / analysis
  • Risk Factors
  • Silicon Dioxide*
  • Spectrometry, Gamma
  • Thorium / analysis

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Potassium Radioisotopes
  • Thorium-232
  • granite
  • Thorium
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Radium-226
  • Radium