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. 2022 Oct 3;15(19):6876.
doi: 10.3390/ma15196876.

Investigation of Building Materials' Radioactivity in a Historical Building-A Case Study

Adriana Estokova  1 , Eva Singovszka  2 , Marian Vertal  3
Affiliations

Investigation of Building Materials' Radioactivity in a Historical Building-A Case Study

Adriana Estokova et al. Materials (Basel). .

Abstract

The paper investigates a possible hazard originating from natural radionuclides in building materials in a selected historical building being reconstructed for housing. Both outdoor and indoor risks were evaluated through the radiological indices and estimated doses, based on measured activities of natural radionuclides in stone and brick materials of the building. The average measured activity concentrations of radionuclides were 7.32 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 40.05 Bq/kg for 232Th, and 546.64 Bq/kg for 40K radionuclides. The average total activity concentration in building materials (594.0 Bq/kg) exceeded the world average value. A correlation was found between the potassium content in the building material samples and the total activity of radionuclides. The gamma indices, Iγ, calculated for the samples, ranged in an interval of 0.26-0.60, not exceeding the restricted limit for bulk materials Iγ = 1. The average annual effective dose due to building materials was 0.53 mSv/y, which does not exceed the limit (1 mSv/y), however, it contributes to a gamma dose excess that is higher than recommended (0.3 mSv/y at the most). The bricks were responsible for a higher level of natural radiation than natural stone material. Nevertheless, based on the radiation protection requirements, it can be concluded that the building can be used for residential purposes after the reconstruction, as no significant human health impact is expected due to the radioactivity of building materials.

Keywords: 226Ra; 232Th; 40K; NORM; building materials; gamma index; natural radiation; natural radionuclides.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schema of the steps and tools in the research.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Division of the analyzed building no. 43 into various segments (left), contemporary decoration of the main facade—view from Master Paul´s Square (right) [36].
Figure 3
Figure 3
Stylistic analysis and origin of the structures [37].
Figure 4
Figure 4
Current state of building no. 43 in Master Paul´s Square, view from the square.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Location of the sampling points in the building.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Comparison of measured activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in building material samples with the world average concentrations (represented by red lines).
Figure 7
Figure 7
Correlation between the potassium content and the radiological parameters: (a) total activity of radionuclides; (b) gamma index of radionuclides.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Comparison of the effect of the sample’s floor to total activity of radionuclides (a); the differences in total activities of radionuclides in samples collected from different floors (b).
Figure 9
Figure 9
Comparison of the level indices Iγ, Iα, and AUI with the limit values (represented by red lines).
Figure 10
Figure 10
Comparison of the hazard indices and Raeq with the limit values (represented by red lines).
Figure 11
Figure 11
Comparison of the dose parameters with the world average values (represented by red lines).
Figure 12
Figure 12
Absorbed dose by different organs and the particular limit values (represented by red lines).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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