ABSTRACT
Background: The activity concentrations of [226]Ra, [232]Th and [40]K in sand used as building material in Weifang of China were investigated for evaluating the radiation hazard
Materials and Methods: Sand samples were collected from Weifang and their radioactivity levels were measured using gamma-ray spectrometry. The radiation hazard for residents was assessed by radium equivalent activity [Raeq], indoor air absorbed dose rate [D], annual effective dose [AED] and excess lifetime cancer risk [ELCR]
Results: The activity concentrations of [226]Ra, [232]Th and [40]K ranged from 11.7 to 23.0, 33.6 to 126.1 and 353.2 to 924.8 Bq kg[?1] with averages of 15.5, 70.3 and 802.9 Bq kg[-1], respectively. All Raeq values were lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg[-1]. The mean value of D was higher than the world population-weighted average of 84 nGy h[-1], while the mean AED and ELCR values were below the internationally accepted values
Conclusions: The use of sand in construction of dwellings is considered to be safe for inhabitants