Determination of Radium concentration and Radon Exhalation Rates Using CR-39 Detector for Different Geopolymer Cement Samples Containing Industrial Wastes

Abstract

Natural material like metakaolin, along with industrial wastes such as fly ash (FA), cement kiln dust (CKD), and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), are being used to develop new affordable and environmentally friendly construction materials (Geopolymers) that result in reduced carbon dioxide emissions. Geopolymers are gaining attention for their ability to effectively remove organic and inorganic contaminants from wastewater, including dyes and heavy metals. However, the study of the radiation properties of eco-friendly geopolymer cement materials has received little attention. To address this gap, conducted a previous study to examine the radiation properties of different geopolymer cement samples. In this study, the analyzed the radon concentration, radium concentration, and annual effective dose of various pre-treated geopolymer cement samples that contained industrial wastes from dyes and heavy metals. By using the CR-39 detector as a passive technique for this examination. In the pretreated geopolymer cement samples, we used three types of reactive dye effluents - reactive black 5 (BD), reactive red 195 (RD), and reactive yellow 145 (YD) in the presence of heavy metals (Cu2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+). Based on our research, the concentration of radon ranged from 2.69 to 212.42 Bq m-3. The sample with the lowest value of radium concentration was labeled as (10) (GGBFS), while sample (9) (SF10-YD-Cu2+) had the highest value. Found that the annual effective doses were within the range of the world average for indoor and outdoor 1.55and0.58mSvy−1 respectively, except for sample 9 (SF10-YD-Cu2+) which had the highest radium concentration. The pretreated geopolymer cement mixes containing different dye effluents and heavy metals were found to be safe for use in construction areas, except for sample 9 (SF10-YD-Cu2+). Recommend using sample 9 (SF10-YD-Cu2+) only for public highways, bridges, and other well-ventilated buildings.