DefinePK

Abstract

This study is concerned with the environmental impact of the cement industry in Saudi Arabia. The activity concentrations of natural radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in raw materials used in Qassim cement factory in addition to final product from Qassim cement and other factories in Saudi Arabia were measured using gamma-ray spectrometer employing a NaI (Tl) detector. The average activity concentrations for 226Ra, 232Th and 40K radionuclides in raw materials were 13.5, 12 and 122.3 Bq kg–1, respectively. In addition, their activity concentrations in Qassim cement product were 11.2, 10 and 117.1 Bq kg–1. The activity concentration of Riyadh, Yamamah, Hail and North region cement were measured. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in the raw materials and final product were matched among the reported data from different countries. The average values of the activity concentrations were lower than the corresponding international values documented by United Nations Scientific Commnitee on the Effect of Atonic Radiations (UNSCEAR) publications. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq) and the external hazard index (Hex) were calculated to estimate the radiation hazard for people living in home made of cement. Moreover, the absorbed dose rate in air (D) in each sample was evaluated. All the materials studied are satisfactory for use as building materials as limited by the Organization of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) criterion. The consequences acquired show no significant of radiological risk when Qassim cement is used.