Radon Mass Exhalation Rates of Selected Building Materials in Tanzania

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the mass radon exhalation rate of Tanzania Portland cements and their raw materials for assessment of the radiological hazards due to use of those materials in residential construction. The radon mass exhalation rate was measured by closed chamber coupled with the Pylon AB5 Ô and varied from 0.3 to 13 %. The estimated indoor radon concentrations and annual effective dose for tightly closed standard room were within the safe limits of radon potential health hazards of 600 Bq m^-3 for dwellings and 1500 Bq m^-3 for workplaces recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP).

Key words. Building materials; Radon mass exhalation rate; Annual effective dose; Radiological hazard; Tanzania