Radioactivity and health risk assessments in cement samples commonly used as construction materials in the case of South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

This work deals with the measurement of the radioactivity concentrations from different cement samples collected from the South Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. The measurement of naturally occurring radioisotopes and radiation health impact indices caused by these nuclides in cement samples are indisputable in the dwellings. Specifically, the average concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were estimated as 76.53, 81.67, and 407 Bq kg−1, respectively. It was seen that all the measured mean values were greater than the world’s limited levels. External and internal hazard indices are calculated as defined by the European Commission from the corresponding concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K nuclides. Moreover, the natural radionuclides have variety of concentrations which must be caused by the types of raw materials used in the industries for the production of cement.