Assessment of Natural Radioactivity and its Radiation Hazards in Abu Diab Area in Central Eastern Desert of Egypt

Abstract

Sixteen samples from Abu Diab granite in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt are investigated radiometrically using scintillation detector (NaI (Tl)) to determine U, Th and K contents. The obtained results of activity concentrations are ranged from 2 to 22 ppm for U with mean value 8.625 ppm, from 11 to 16 ppm for Th with mean value 13.75 ppm and from 2.89 % to 3.32% for K with mean value 3.12
%. Accordingly, the radiological effects from these rocks are estimated through the calculation of some radiological hazard indices : radium equivalent activity (Raeq), internal absorbed dose rate indoor (Din), external absorbed dose rate outdoor (Dout), annual effective dose equivalent outdoors (AEDEout ) and indoors (AEDEin), alpha index (Iα), gamma index (Iγ), external hazard index (Hex), internal hazard index (Hin), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) and total excess lifetime cancer risk ) (ELCR)total. The estimated average values are 261.55 Bq/kg , 237.70 nGy/h , 123.74 nGy/h , 0.152 mSv/y, 1.167 mSv/y, 0.960, 0.533 ,0.707, 0.995, 0.870 mSv/y and 4.616 x10-3, respectively. Our granite samples from Abu Diab area have a higher activities and radiological hazard than that of the permissible of the worldwide limits. Accordingly, these granite samples are not suitable for decoration or building materials.