Evaluation of radiological hazards associated with the uses of marble and ceramic as decorative building materials in Egypt

Radon concentrations of 20 samples of marble and ceramic were measured using AlphaGuard and varied from 36.02 +/- A 2.89 to 614.59 +/- A 99.40 Bq m(-3) with a mean value of 139.12 +/- A 11.44 Bq m(-3). Radon emanation coefficient and exhalation rate were also calculated. Moreover, radiation dose of released radon was calculated using two models, showing good agreement. Its value was varied from 6.3 +/- A 0.52 to 76.23 +/- 3.82 mu Sv year(-1) with a mean value of 23.20 +/- A 1.54 mu Sv year(-1). The results implied that radiation dose was less than safety limit of 1 mSv year(-1). Therefore, the selected marble and ceramic types could be safely used as decorative building materials.