Radiological risk assessment in some imported tiles from China and its possible health implication for Nigerian users

Abstract

Abstract This investigation was carried out to ascertain the natural radionuclides contents in the tiles imported from China for Nigerian use and its radiological risk using gamma-ray spectroscopy. Hyper-Germanium detector (HPGe) was applied to 7 brand samples of tiles exported from China to Nigeria for building-related issue in order to determine the concentrations of radioactive materials such as 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K present in the imported tiles sample. The concentrations for the ceramics tiles in terms of average were observed to be 58.20 ± 0.52, 161.50 ± 9.45 and 455.70 ± 15.12 Bq/kg respectively for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K. Radiological risk indices which include radium equivalent activity, dose rate, both hazards that occur externally and internally, Annual Effective Dose (mSv/y), Gamma (Iγ) and Alpha Radiological Index (Iα) were evaluated for the imported tiles. The mean values estimated were: 317.16 Bq/kg; 153.92 nGyh−1; 0.87; 1.08; 1.52 mSv/y; 1.15 and 0.29 respectively. The mean value of radium equivalent estimated in this study is within the range of international reference acceptance value while the absorbed dose rate is higher.