Activity Concentration Index Values for Concrete Multistory Residences in Greece Due to Fly Ash Addition in Cement

Abstract

According to 2013/59/Euratom Directive, the activity concentration index (ACI) is required to be estimated for each building material that is of concern from a radiation protection point of view. This index applies to building materials and not to constituents that cannot be used as building materials themselves. Fly ash is a byproduct of coal-fired power plants and is one of the main constituents of cement. The radioactivity in fly ash that is produced by Greek lignite power plants cannot be considered insignificant. For example, in the case of the Megalopolis power plant, the concentration for radioisotopes of the 226Ra chain is found to be about 1 kBq/kg. Since natural radionuclide concentrations, which are harmful to human health in terms of radiation exposure, exist in fly ash, ACI should be assessed for building materials containing fly ash. The present study evaluates the ACI of concrete containing fly ash cement when used in multistory residential buildings. Results showed that cement produced in Greece by the three main Greek cement production plants, containing lignite fly ash, and used as a material for concrete multistory constructions, should not be considered as “of concern from a radiation protection point of view”. Each country that wishes to evaluate the use of fly ash into constructions should repeat the method for the ACI uncertainty budget proposed in this study, to assess whether it significantly exceeds the reference value (whether it is of concern from a radiation protection point of view).