Radionuclides of Building Materials and Radon Concentrations in Belgrade Dwellings

Dragana Popovic1, Gordana Djuric1, Dragana Todorovi2, and Vesna Spasic-Jokic3

1 Department of Physics and Department of Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
2 Environmental and Radiation Protection Laboratory, Institute of Nuclear Sciences “Vinca”, Belgrade, Yugoslavia
3 Federal Bureau of Measures and Precious Metals, Belgrade, Yugoslavia

Corresponding author: Dragana Popovic
    Department of Physics and Biophysics,
    Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
    Bul.JA 18
    11000 Belgrade, Yugoslavia
    Telephone: (+381) 11 685 666
    Fax number: (+381) 11 685 936
    E-mail: stankopo@eunet.yu

CEJOEM 2000, Vol.6. No.2-3.:129-133


Key words:
Radionuclides, radon, building materials, health and dwellings, health and environment


Abstract:
The results of determination of natural radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, 40K) in raw building materials and final products are presented. Activity of the radionuclides was determined on an HPGe detector by standard gamma spectrometry. Mean activities of natural radionuclides were in the range of 2.0-560 Bq/kg depending on the radionuclide and the type of the material. Equivalent indices and OECD index for natural radionuclides were calculated, indicating lower content of natural radionuclides compared with data from other European countries. Indoor radon concentrations were measured in Belgrade dwellings by alpha scintillation counting technique. The concentrations were under 200 Bq/m3, depending on geochemical characteristics of the soil, building materials, construction of the building, storey number, dwelling conditions, as well as on the season. The measurements were performed as a part of the Quality Control Program for the Assessment by a National Laboratory for Radioactivity Control of Building Materials.


Received:  31 July 2000
Accepted:  08 September 2000

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