Study of natural radionuclides and radon emanation in bricks used in the Attica region, Greece

Bricks commonly used in the Attica region, Greece have been studied for both natural radionuclide content and radon emanation. The high-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy technique, as well as radon exhalation measurements, have been employed. For determination of radon exhalation rate, besides the trivial method which consists of a single measurement of radon concentration in a closed vessel containing the sample, a shorter duration continuous accumulation/counting method has been established. The results of radon exhalation measurements have been used together with the γ-spectrometry determination of 226Ra in order to determine radon emanation coefficients.