Radiological characterization and health risk assessment of Turkish granites used in building materials
Makaleler > Tam Makale · 2026
Yazarlar: Filiz Gür
Radiation Effects and Defects in Solids, Uluslararası, Wos, 2026, ss 1-15
DOI: 10.1080/10420150.2026.2620111
Özet
Exposure to natural radioactivity from building materials, particularly granites, poses significant health risks through gamma radiation and radon emissions. This study investigated eighteen commercially available Turkish granite samples to characterize their radiological properties and assess associated health risks. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were measured using high-purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry following 30-day secular equilibrium, while radon exhalation rates were determined using LR-115 Type II solid-state nuclear track detectors with a four-week exposure period. The measured activity concentrations ranged from 11 ± 3 to 202 ± 12 Bq kg−1 for 226Ra, 15 ± 3 to 198 ± 11 Bq kg−1 for 232Th and 357 ± 38 to 1655 ± 124 Bq kg−1 for 40K. Radon concentrations varied between 120 ± 40 and 2840 ± 300 Bq m−3. Radiological hazard indices revealed that five granite types (Rosa Porino, Carmen Red, Giresun Mink, Balıkesir Gray and Kozak Granite) exceeded the recommended safety limit for radium equivalent activity (Raeq > 370 Bq kg−1), external hazard index (Hex > 1) and internal hazard index (Hin > 1). The annual effective dose rate (AEDR) ranged from 0.27 to 2.63 mSv y−1, with seventeen samples exceeding the UNSCEAR reference level of 0.41 mSv y−1. Furthermore, eleven samples (61%) exceeded Turkey's indoor radon reference level of 400 Bq m−3. These findings indicate that several Turkish granite varieties pose significant radiological risks when used in indoor environments. The study highlights the need for mandatory radiological screening of building materials and implementation of mitigation strategies to ensure public health protection.