Gambo Nura, Ramli Ramzun Maizan, Noor Azman Nurul Zahirah
Medical Physics and Radiation Sciences Program, School of Physics, Universiti Sains MalaysiaPenang, Malaysia.
Isa Kaita College of Education, Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Nigeria.
PLoS One. 2025 Mar 12;20(3):e0318497. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318497. eCollection 2025.
In this research, nineteen (19) samples were collected and analyzed with the following objectives: to evaluate the activity concentration of radionuclides, assess gamma absorption, determine indoor radon concentration, and evaluate the public health impact of building materials used in Katsina State, Nigeria. The study aimed to provide critical data that would inform safe construction practices and regulatory compliance. Samples were sourced locally from various quarry sites, while materials such as cement, paint, tiles, and ceiling materials were purchased from local markets. The methodology involved measuring radionuclide activity concentrations using gamma-ray spectroscopy with a Thallium-doped Sodium Iodide (NaI (Tl)) detector, a highly sensitive method suitable for detecting gamma emissions from radionuclides. Radon gas was identified as the primary radiation source. Results revealed varying activity concentrations of radionuclides across different building materials. Most samples, except for Gravel, Brown Clay (Zone A and C), Kaolin, and Fired Clay Bricks, were below the recommended limits for radionuclide. Similarly, for , except for Cement and Thatch, samples were generally below the average value of 35 Bq/kg. However, several samples including Gravel, Paint, Brown Clay (Zones A, B, C), Thatch, Mud Clay, Laterite, Neem tree, Limestone, Fired Clay Bricks, and Gypsum exceeded the average value of 30 Bq/kg for . The overall average activity concentrations across samples were : 232.421, : 11.791, and : 51.1858 all in Bq/kg. The average Radium equivalent and Gamma index was 113.8 Bq/kg and 0.22, respectively, with an alpha index of 0.11. The external and internal hazard indexes averaged 0.2292 and 0.3102, indicating that these materials pose no significant radiological health risk when used in construction, as all values are below international guidelines of 370 Bq/kg and 1 mSv/y. This study concludes with a recommendation for public awareness on the effects of radiation and the need for continued monitoring and regulation of radiation exposure. The significance of this study lies in its contribution to public health and safety, supporting regulatory compliance and helping to prevent potential health risks associated with construction materials.
在本研究中，采集并分析了19个样本，目的如下：评估放射性核素的活度浓度、评估伽马吸收、测定室内氡浓度以及评估尼日利亚卡齐纳州使用的建筑材料对公众健康的影响。该研究旨在提供关键数据，为安全施工实践和法规合规提供依据。样本从当地各个采石场获取，而水泥、油漆、瓷砖和天花板材料等则从当地市场购买。该方法包括使用掺铊碘化钠（NaI(Tl)）探测器通过伽马射线光谱法测量放射性核素的活度浓度，这是一种适用于检测放射性核素伽马发射的高灵敏度方法。氡气被确定为主要辐射源。结果显示不同建筑材料中放射性核素的活度浓度各不相同。除砾石、棕色粘土（A区和C区）、高岭土和烧制粘土砖外，大多数样本的放射性核素含量低于推荐限值。同样，对于[此处原文缺失相关内容]，除水泥和茅草外，样本通常低于35 Bq/kg的平均值。然而，包括砾石、油漆、棕色粘土（A区、B区、C区）、茅草、泥质粘土、红土、印楝树、石灰石、烧制粘土砖和石膏在内的几个样本超过了[此处原文缺失相关内容]30 Bq/kg的平均值。样本的总体平均活度浓度分别为：[此处原文缺失相关内容]232.421、[此处原文缺失相关内容]11.791和[此处原文缺失相关内容]51.1858，单位均为Bq/kg。镭当量和伽马指数的平均值分别为113.8 Bq/kg和0.22，阿尔法指数为0.11。外部和内部危害指数的平均值分别为0.2292和0.3102，这表明这些材料在用于建筑时不会造成重大的放射健康风险，因为所有数值均低于370 Bq/kg和1 mSv/y的国际准则。本研究最后建议提高公众对辐射影响的认识，并持续监测和监管辐射暴露。本研究的意义在于其对公众健康和安全的贡献，支持法规合规并有助于预防与建筑材料相关的潜在健康风险。
