Riesgos Debido a la Radiactividad Natural de Pizarras de Construcción

Abstract

The aim of this work is to measure the natural radioactivity in slates used as building material. Slates manufactured in the region of Extremadura-Spain were used as a study case. The concentrations were determined by gamma spectrometry using an HPGe coaxial detector. Radium equivalent activities (Raeq) and various hazard indices were also calculated. Results were also compared with the data available in the literature for other countries of the world. The results show that the average values of the concentrations due to 40K, 226Ra and 232Th were found 840, 29 and 75 Bq/kg, respectively. The radium equivalent activity was less than the accepted standard criterion value of 370 Bq/kg and the values of other hazard indices were also below their limit values.