Research Article Open Access

MEASUREMENT OF RADON EXHALATION RATE, RADIUM ACTIVITY AND ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE FROM BRICKS AND CEMENT SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM DERA ISMAIL KHAN

Nisar Ahmad1, Mohamad Suhaimi Jaafar1, Sohail Aziz Khan1, Tabassum Nasir2, Sajjad Ahmad2 and Muhammad Rahim3
  • 1 School of Physics, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Physics, Gomel University Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan
  • 3 School of Chemical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

Abstract

Radon concentration, exhalation rate, radium activity and annual effective dose have been measured from baked and unbaked bricks and cement samples commonly used as construction material in the dwellings of Dera Ismail Khan City, Pakistan. CR-39 based NRPB radon dosimeters and RAD7 have been used as passive and active devises. The values of radon concentration for baked, unbaked bricks and cements obtained from passive and active techniques were found in good agreement. Average values of radon exhalation rates in baked, unbaked bricks and cement were found (1.202±0.212) Bq m-2 h-1, (1.419±0.230) Bq m-2 h-1 and (0.386±0.117) Bq m-2 h-1 and their corresponding average radium activity and annual effective dose were found (0.956±0.169) Bq/kg, (1.13±0.184) Bq/kg, (0.323±0.098) Bq/kg and (33.96±5.99) µSv y-1, (40.3±6.51) µSv y-1 and (10.94±3.28) µSv y-1, respectively. Radon concentration, exhalation rate and their corresponding radium activity and annual effective dose were found higher in unbaked bricks as compared to baked bricks and cement but overall values of radon exhalation rate, annual effective dose and radium activity were found well below the world average values of 57.600 Bq m-2 h-1, 1100 µSv y-1 and 370 Bq/kg, respectively.

American Journal of Applied Sciences
Volume 11 No. 2, 2014, 240-247

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2014.240.247

Submitted On: 14 November 2013 Published On: 21 December 2013

How to Cite: Ahmad, N., Jaafar, M. S., Khan, S. A., Nasir, T., Ahmad, S. & Rahim, M. (2014). MEASUREMENT OF RADON EXHALATION RATE, RADIUM ACTIVITY AND ANNUAL EFFECTIVE DOSE FROM BRICKS AND CEMENT SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM DERA ISMAIL KHAN. American Journal of Applied Sciences, 11(2), 240-247. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajassp.2014.240.247

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Keywords

  • Radon
  • CR-39
  • NRPB Dosimeter
  • RAD7