Estimation of the Radioactive Elements in Raw Materials Utilized in the Ceramic Industry, Anbar, Western Iraq

Ahmed O Farhan,Sabah S Farhan,Ahmed M Ahmed

doi:10.46717/igj.55.1b.11ms-2022-02-27

Abstract

In the present study, The High-Purity Germanium system was utilized to Radionuclide concentrations of 10 specimens of raw materials utilized in the ceramic manufacture from the ceramic plant in Anbar, western Iraq. The concentrations ranged between 15.035-31.410, 11.330-33.870, 85.380-272.320 Bq/kg of 238U, 232Th and 40K, respectively, with an aggregate rate of 23.523±4.121, 23.616±5.308, 176.084±58.848 Bq/kg, respectively. The radiological aspects Were discussed by computing the gamma radiance parameters. Consequently, the qualitative activity level and gamma radiance parameters are less than the authorized Global Rate's worth of US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) standards. The prospective source of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in raw material specimens Has contained specimens a small number of radioactive minerals like monazite, chromite, zircon, tourmaline, titanite, and apatite, there are no appreciable radiation hazard indices to personnel's in the raw material department of the study region. The research recommends proposing new Iraqi standards that specify the permissible percentages of qualitative activity concentration also gamma radiance parameters to preserve the environment and human health, especially that the ceramics plant is located in Al-Anbar center.

Highlights

The research aims to evaluate the qualitative activity of radioisotopes 238U, 232Th, 40K in the raw materials utilized in the ceramic plant and to monitor natural radioactivity for the detection of radioactive ores evaluate the radiation hazard indicators of gamma and distinguish between the worth of the minerals found in nature and how they are handled due to their influence on human health and the environment
This study clarifies the status of raw materials utilized in ceramic manufacture within the study region in terms of qualitative activity accumulations and gamma radiance parameters their public health implications
It discovered a relative disparity within the recommended level of US Environmental Protection Agency standards (US EPA, 2014) in the qualitative activity concentration and gamma radiance parameters

Summary

Introduction

The raw materials utilized to make ceramics reflect the geology of their original region (Ahmed and Farhan, 2022 and Taskin et al, 2009) This radiation is contained within relatively narrow limits, and Iraq is situated within these regions, there are some variations from normal levels due to the existence of abnormally high concentrations of radioactive minerals, as in the case of phosphate rocks containing high concentrations of 238U in Iraq's western region The research aims to evaluate the qualitative activity of radioisotopes 238U, 232Th, 40K in the raw materials utilized in the ceramic plant and to monitor natural radioactivity for the detection of radioactive ores evaluate the radiation hazard indicators of gamma and distinguish between the worth of the minerals found in nature and how they are handled due to their influence on human health and the environment

Methods

Results

Conclusion