Natural radioactivity in ceramic tiles used in serbian buildings

Abstract

© 2020, Editura Academiei Romane. All rights reserved. Building materials with increased content of natural radionuclides226Ra,232Th and40K can represent a health hazard for the public due to the exposure to gamma radiation as well as222Rn. The paper presents the results of a radiometric analysis of 80 ceramic tiles used in Serbian buildings, produced in Serbia and 9 other countries in the world. The mean activity concentration of226Ra,232Th, and40K was 67 ± 4 Bq kg–1, 50 ± 3 Bq kg–1, and 500 ± 26 Bq kg–1, respectively. The radium equivalent index, gamma indices, gamma dose rates and annual effective doses for public exposure were estimated. The results were compared to the national and international legislation, as well with the results obtained in the world in similar studies. The obtained results suggest the use of analyzed ceramic tiles in buildings does not represent a significant exposure to radiation.