Exposure to radiation from the natural radioactivity in Jordanian building materials

The natural radioactivity due to the presence of Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 in selected building materials used in Jordanian building constructions has been measured using gamma-ray spectrometer with a Hyper Pure germanium detector. The average activity concentrations observed in different building materials ranged from 27.7 +/- 7.5 to 70.4 +/- 2.8, 5.9 +/- 0.67 to 32.9 +/- 3.9 and 30.8 +/- 0.87 to 58.5 +/- 1.5 for Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40, respectively. The activity concentrations of Ra-226 measured in fine aggregates was found to be among the highest values obtained in this work. The ranges of the calculated Ra-equivalent were found to be lower than those values recommended for construction materials (370 Bq kg(-1)). The average internal and external hazard indices were found to be < 1. The average of the calculated annual gonadal equivalent dose was found to be 198 mu Sv y(-1). Results indicate no significant radiological hazards arise from using such materials in building construction.