Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Levels and Some Associated Radiological Hazards of Portland Cements and Their Raw Materials from Selected Cement Industries in Eastern Uganda

Abstract

The radiological hazards as a result of the natural radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K for Portland cement from different factories were assessed using HPGe detectors. The measured mean activity concentrations for ²³⁸U, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were; 50.34±1.86, 38.01±1.48 and 331.59±13.19 Bq/kg respectively for the Portland cement raw materials, 31.15±1.49, 20.83±1.02 and 267.60 ± 8.65 Bq/kg respectively for the Portland cement products. The radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq), Excess lifetime cancer Risks (ELCR), external and internal hazard indices were also estimated due to the Portland cement and the respective raw materials and the results obtained were comparable to others cited. The results obtained in this study therefore indicate no significant radiological hazard that may arise from the use of these materials in construction of dwelling places.

Keywords: Natural Radioactivity levels, Portland cement, MCNP, Gamma spectroscopy

DOI: 10.7176/JEES/13-6-03

Publication date:August 31^st 2023