Primordial radionuclides in the dust samples from the educational institutions of central Bangladesh: radiological risk assessment.

For the first time, this study presents the radio-activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides in a suite of classroom-dusts collected from 23 schools in central part of Bangladesh. Bulk elemental compositions from instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) were transformed into accompanied radio-activity contents (Bq.kg). Mean activity contents of Ra, Th, & K in dust samples were 86.0, 43.4, and 448 Bq.kg, respectively, which were comparatively elevated relative to the relevant world average value. Higher NORMs abundances were due to the surface soil weathering and aerodynamic fractionations. Estimation of typical radiological-risk indices demonstrates human health risks. Bearing in mind that the greater susceptibility of school-going juveniles & children to the ionizing-radiations & the entering of NORMs-comprising dust-particle into human lungs, calculated radiological indices merely represent the least potential risk. However, in actual cases, α-particles from the U and Th-decay series can create significant radiation-damage to the respiratory-system.