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Published on: January 30, 2020
Framework for evaluating legacy high activity building material based on indoor gamma radiation surveys
Zsolt Homoki1, Ágnes Szigeti2, Anita Csordás3
1National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Budapest, Hungary; University of Pannonia, Institute for Radiochemistry and Radioecology, Veszprém, Hungary.
Indoor gamma radiation in Hungarian homes averages 149 nSv/h. A proposed Reference Level of 350 nSv/h is recommended to guide mitigation actions, especially in homes using bottom ash building materials.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiation Protection
- Public Health
Background:
- Indoor gamma radiation is a significant contributor to natural radiation exposure in Europe.
- Current lack of a reference level hinders decisions on necessary mitigation actions for indoor gamma radiation.
- Radon and its daughter elements are the primary source of natural exposure, but indoor gamma radiation can also reach high levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize typical indoor gamma radiation levels in Hungarian homes.
- To establish a Reference Level for indoor gamma radiation in Hungary.
- To inform potential legislation regarding building materials and indoor radiation.
Main Methods:
- Statistical evaluation of outdoor and indoor gamma radiation survey data (1995-2024).
- Utilized passive and active detectors for radiation measurements.
- Analyzed gamma-ray spectrometric data of building materials.
Main Results:
- Average outdoor gamma radiation: 97 nSv/h.
- Average indoor gamma radiation: 149 nSv/h.
- Calculated 250 nSv/h ambient gamma dose rate equates to 1 mSv annual effective dose.
Conclusions:
- A Reference Level of 350 nSv/h for indoor gamma radiation in Hungarian homes is proposed.
- Elevated levels were specifically linked to the use of bottom ash in construction (floor filling or concrete blocks).
- A direct correlation exists between surface gamma dose rates of building materials and their radioactivity.
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