Author/Authors :
AZNAN FAZLI, ISMAIL Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Fakulti Sains Dan Teknologi - Program Sains Nuklear, Malaysia , SAMUDI YASIR, MUHAMAD Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Faculty of Science and Technology - Nuclear Science Programme, Malaysia , AB. MAJID, AMRAN Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Fakulti Sains Dan Teknologi - Program Sains Nuklear,, Malaysia , REDZUWAN, YAHAYA Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Fakulti Sains Dan Teknolog - Program Sains Nuklear, Malaysia , BAHARI, ISMAIL Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia - Fakulti Sains Dan Teknologi - Program Sains Nuklear, Malaysia
Abstract :
Besides bricks, granites and sands cement is one of the main components of building materials. Cement is made from a combination of rocks and soils which is known to contain natural radioactivity. The objectives of this study were to determine the level of natural radioactivity and associated radiological hazard caused by natural radioactivity in Malaysia’s Portland cements. Portland cements samples were obtained from the manufacturers or bought directly from local hardware stores. Natural radionuclide concentrations of 226Ra (238U series), 232Th and 40K were determined using gamma-ray spectrometry. Activity concentrations of 226Ra (238U series), 232Th and 40K were found in the range of 7.76 – 82.91 Bq kg-1, 9.79 – 49.37 Bq kg-1 dan 81.89 – 377.10 Bq kg-1 respectively. Radium equivalents were found in the range of 35.36 ± 0.60 to 135.94 ± 15.27 Bq kg-1 while the average annual equivalent dose and internal hazard index were found in the range of 80 ± 2 to 300 ± 30 ìSv year-1 and 0.12 ± 0.00 to 0.56 ± 0.07 respectively.
