Gamma Radiation Hazards and Risks Associated with Industrial Wastes Materials

Abstract

Solid wastes are generated from common manufacturing and industrial processes, and can also be caused by disposing commerce products. The natural radionuclide (238U, 226Ra, 232Th and 40K) concentrations in various solid waste samples were determined by using a high pure germanium detector. The obtained average concentration values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in various solid wastes were: Iron (173.29, 141.99 and 32.68 Bq∙kg−1), Copper (2.63, 0.60 and 30 Bq∙kg−1), Aluminum (3.97, 4.89 and 41.67 Bq∙kg−1) and in Wood (4.22, 3.11 and 30.20 Bq∙Kg−1), respectively. The total average values of radium equivalent and the absorbed dose rate were 95.87 Bq∙kg−1 and 44.56 nGyh−1, respectively. The effective dose rates in outdoor and indoor average values were 0.05 and 0.20 mSvy−1, respectively. These health hazard parameters were considered to be below the safe limit of UNSCEAR 2000. The presented results show no significant radiological health risks for the workers in the industrial workshops and inhabitance health.