Abstract
Radiological hazards resulting from 5 different brands of ceramic tiles commonly used in homes and offices in Jos-south area ofplateau state were assessed in this study by carrying out radioactivity measurement of natural radionuclides (40K, 226Ra and 232Th) in them using a NaI(Tl) gamma ray spectrometer. The ceramic tiles had mean activity concentrations of 44.5, 59.6 and 417.4 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K respectively. The average radium equivalent is within the recommended limit of 370 Bq kg-1 for building materials. The radiological hazard indices such as the gamma absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, external radiation index (Hex), internal radiation hazard index (Hin), Alpha index (Iα), Gamma index (Iγ), excess lifetime cancer risk, and annual gonadal dose equivalent were evaluated. The results obtained show that the radiological parameters do not exceed the recommended safety limits and hence pose no significant radiological hazard when used as building material.
Highlights
The ceramic industry encompasses a varied group of producers and products
The study employs the use of gamma-ray spectrometry method to measure the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in six brands of ceramic tiles that are used as flooring/walling materials in Jos-South area of Plateau State, Nigeria in order to assess the radiological hazards associated with their use as building materials
Mean value of the annual effective dose estimated for the tiles is 0.11 mSv y-1 is less than the world indoor average value of 0.49 mSv y−1 [22] and 1.0 mSv y−1 limit set by the International Committee on Radiation Protection (ICRP)
Summary
The ceramic industry encompasses a varied group of producers and products. One of the main subsectors is the production of ceramic tiles. The second component of the tile is the shiny tile glaze, which typically consists of one or more layers with a total thickness between 75 and 500 microns, covering the upper side of the ceramic tiles This substance is usually a glass material glaze composed of inorganic raw materials, with silica (SiO2) as the main component [2]. Ceramic tiles are generally preferred worldwide due to their ornamental properties along with their relatively cheap cost They are made of a mixture of earthly materials that has been pressed into shape and fired at high temperature. The study employs the use of gamma-ray spectrometry method to measure the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides in six brands of ceramic tiles that are used as flooring/walling materials in Jos-South area of Plateau State, Nigeria in order to assess the radiological hazards associated with their use as building materials
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