Determination of dose derived from building materials and radiological health related effects from the indoor environment of Dessie city, Wollo, Ethiopia

Abstract

The eight most common construction materials in Dessie City were collected in order to determine the amount of natural radiation released and its effects on humans. This is the first time that such research has been conducted. A B13010 Gamma-ray spectrometry was used to determine the concentration of the daughter element photo peak (High Purity Germanium detector). These studies can be used to track changes in radioactivity caused by industrial and other human activities. The mean radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were calculated to be 26.59 ± 3.26, 26.59 ± 2.76, and 115.65 ± 2.73 Bq kg−1, respectively. The calculated Radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and absorbed dose were lower than the global average. The estimated annual effective dose equivalent was 0.08 ± 0.01 mSv y−1. External and internal radiation hazard indices (Hex and Hin), activity utilization indices, alpha indices, and gamma representative indices are all lower than the world's recommended standards. The mean of the ELCR is lower than the global mean. The annual effective dose equivalent is slightly above the global average.