The natural radioactivity levels and radiation hazard of pumice from the East Mediterranean Region of Turkey

KILIÇ A. M., Aykamis A. S.

BULLETIN OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT, vol.68, no.3, pp.331-338, 2009 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 68 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2009
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s10064-009-0190-5
  • Journal Name: BULLETIN OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.331-338
  • Keywords: Pumice, Ra-226, Th-232, K-40, Radioactivity, Health hazard indices, RADON EXHALATION RATE, BUILDING-MATERIALS, SOIL SAMPLES, HIMACHAL-PRADESH, DOSE-RATES, DWELLINGS, EXPOSURE, TH-232, RA-226, NORTH
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The concentrations of natural radionuclides in 20 pumice samples from the Toprakkale-Osmaniye area were studied using gamma-ray spectrometry in order to assess the radioactivity levels and health hazard. The activity concentrations of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 in the pumice samples ranged from 9.44 to 27.31, 12.24 to 25.43 and 289.48 to 673.18 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The radionuclide concentrations in pumice samples were matched with typical world values and the radium equivalent activity (Ra-eq), external (H (ex)) and internal (H (in)) hazard index and representative level index (I (gamma r)) determined. All the calculated values were below the internationally accepted limits and indicate that the Toprakkale-Osmaniye pumice can safely be used in construction.