Investigation of natural radioactivity levels of natural and manufactured samples of building materials used in the Rabigh Area, Saudi Arabia, is carried out during the year 2023-2024. A total of 15 samples of natural and manufactured materials from different types of building materials have been collected and measured using gamma spectrometry equipment. Most of the samples from each group had naturally occurring 40K and radionuclides from the 238U and 232Th decay series. This means that most of the activity levels, including 40K, are safe for construction. The activity concentrations have been determined for 232Th, radium 226Ra, 212Pb, and 214Pb, as well as 214Bi, 228Ac, and 208Tl, and 40K in each sample. However, samples with higher 226Ra levels, such as the Cement Arab Cement Company sample, approach the exemption threshold of 1000 Bq/kg, meaning they need further study for long-term exposure risks. The Interlock Sand sample from Tipah Al-Khair Cement Products Factory had a particularly high 212Pb concentration (378 ± 4.70 BBQ/kg), which may be linked to the geochemical properties of its raw materials. The experimental setup proved to be reliable, showing good detection efficiency and resolution. Higher levels of 226Ra in some samples were close to regulatory limits, highlighting the need to choose materials carefully to reduce radiation risks. These results help improve our understanding of radiation safety in construction materials, these results help improve our understanding of radiation safety in construction materials. By addressing these issues, this study supports Saudi Vision 2030 by promoting innovation, safety, and public health in construction.
References
[1]
Estokova, A., Singovszka, E. and Vertal, M. (2022) Investigation of Building Materials’ Radioactivity in a Historical Building—A Case Study. Materials, 15, Article 6876. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15196876
[2]
Missimer, T.M., Teaf, C., Maliva, R.G., Danley-Thomson, A., Covert, D. and Hegy, M. (2019) Natural Radiation in the Rocks, Soils, and Groundwater of Southern Florida with a Discussion on Potential Health Impacts. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16, Article 1793. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101793
[3]
Alotaibi, M.F., Alharbi, K.N., Alosime, E.M., Alhawali, L.H., Albarqi, M.M. and Alsulami, R.A. (2024) Natural Radioactivity in Soil and Water of Saudi Arabia: A Mixed-Studies Review. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences, 17, Article 100897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2024.100897
[4]
Lewicka, S., Piotrowska, B., Łukaszek-Chmielewska, A. and Drzymała, T. (2022) Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Cements Used as Building Materials in Poland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19, Article 11695. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811695
[5]
Zhang, K., Song, X.L., Liu, M., Chen, M.H., Li, J. and Han, J.L. (2023) Review on the Use of Magnetic Nanoparticles in the Detection of Environmental Pollutants. Water, 15, Article 3077. https://doi.org/10.3390/w15173077
[6]
Alshahri, F. and El-Taher, A. (2018) Investigation of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Evaluation of Radiation Hazards in Residential-Area Soil near a Ras Tanura Refinery, Saudi Arbia. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 28, 25-34. https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/83611
[7]
Mbonu, C.C. and Ben, U.C. (2021) Assessment of Radiation Hazard Indices Due to Natural Radioactivity in Soil Samples from Orlu, Imo State, Nigeria. Heliyon, 7, e07812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e07812
[8]
Turhan, Ş., Baykan, U.N. and Şen, K. (2008) Measurement of the Natural Radioactivity in Building Materials Used in Ankara and Assessment of External Doses. Journal of Radiological Protection, 28, 83-91. https://doi.org/10.1088/0952-4746/28/1/005
[9]
El-Taher, A. (2012) Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Radiation Hazards for Building Materials Used in Qassim Area, Saudi Arabia. Romanian Reports in Physics, 57, 726-735.
[10]
Ramadhan, R.A., Etzel, R. and Fiebich, M. (2024) Estimation of the Backscatter Radiation Level in Occupational Interventional Radiography. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences, 17, Article 100865. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2024.100865
[11]
Penabei, S., Bongue, D., Maleka, P., Dlamini, T., Saïdou, Guembou Shouop, C.J., et al. (2018) Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels and the Associated Radiological Hazards in Some Building Materials from Mayo-Kebbi Region, Chad. Radioprotection, 53, 265-278. https://doi.org/10.1051/radiopro/2018030
[12]
Issa, S.A.M. and Alaseri, S.M. (2015) Determination of Natural Radioactivity and Associated Radiological Risk in Building Materials Used in Tabuk Area, Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Advanced Science and Technology, 82, 45-62. https://doi.org/10.14257/ijast.2015.82.05
[13]
Beretka, J. and Mathew, P.J. (1985) Natural Radioactivity of Australian Building Materials, Industrial Wastes and By-Products. Health Physics, 48, 87-95. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004032-198501000-00007
[14]
Nuclear Energy Agency (1979) Exposure to Radiation from Natural Radioactivity in Building Materials. Report by NEA Group of Experts, OECD.