Radiological constraints of using building materials and industrial by-products in construction

Abstract

The advantages of utilization of coal fly ash, phosphogypsum and some other industrial by-products in construction are discussed, as well as the technological and environmental problems caused by an elevated content of chemical/radioactive contaminants. Radiological aspects and legislation issues are analyzed. The tendency to develop stricter environmental norms observed in the last years in both national and international scale is noted. The reasons and possible methods of solving the difficulties with the application of legislation rules and radiation controls in construction industry are discussed. As an example, an experience with the new Israeli Standard 5098 regulating radioactivity in building products is reported. The principles of this standard are analyzed and compared to the Radiological Protection Principles Concerning the Natural Radioactivity of Building Materials Principles of Radiation (Radiological Protection Principles Concerning the Natural Radioactivity of Building Materials, Radiation Protection Report RP-112, EC, European Commission, Luxembourg, 1999) and other existing national standards and guidelines in the field.