Assessment of Radionuclide Activity and Radiological Hazard Indices in Cement Used for Construction in Benue State, Nigeria

@article{1723096,
      author = {Hongor S. Daniel, Ichaver Alexander, Enefola M. O.},
      title = {Assessment of Radionuclide Activity and Radiological Hazard Indices in Cement Used for Construction in Benue State, Nigeria},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2026},
      volume = {10},
      number = {3},
      pages = {3945-3948},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1723096.pdf},
      abstract = {This study assessed natural radionuclide activity and associated radiological hazards in selected cement types used for construction in Benue State, Nigeria. Four cement samples—Ordinary Portland Cement (OPCT), White Portland Cement (WPCT), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPCT) and Rapid Portland Cement (RPCT)—were analysed by gamma-ray spectrometry using a NaI(Tl) detector. Activity concentrations of U-238, Th-232 and K-40 were determined and used to evaluate absorbed dose, activity concentration index, annual effective dose equivalent, external hazard index, internal hazard index and radium equivalent activity. U-238 ranged from 9.79±2.61 to 29.65±5.11 Bq/kg, Th-232 from 1.03±0.06 to 5.07±0.59 Bq/kg, and K-40 from 64.11±42.48 to 230.32±20.08 Bq/kg. All measured radionuclide concentrations were below the reference values adopted in the source study. Mean external and internal hazard indices were both 0.12, while mean radium equivalent activity was 155.24 Bq/kg, below the 370 Bq/kg criterion. The results indicate that the sampled cement types are within the radiological safety limits applied in this study under normal construction use.},
      keywords = {Building materials, Cement, Gamma-ray spectrometry, Natural radioactivity, Radiological hazard},
      month = {September},
      doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I3-1723096}
  }