Abstract
The natural radionuclide ( 238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K) contents of soil samples at various locations in Hong Kong, building materials commonly used in Hong Kong and construction materials for roads have been determined by low background gamma-ray spectroscopy using an n-type high purity germanium detector. From the measured radionuclide contents, estimations have been made of the absorbed gamma dose rate in air and the indoor radon concentration in Hong Kong. Both are in good agreement with in-situ measurements. Finally, calculations have been made of the annual individual effective dose equivalent contributed by all kinds of natural background radiations. The total value is 3·2 mSv which is about 60% higher than the global average. Of this total value, 80% comes from the radiation from building materials. The present work suggests that building materials are the primary source of natural background radiation in Hong Kong. Therefore, more extensive studies and perhaps limitation of the radionuclide concentration of building materials in the near future seems necessary.
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