Analytical study of radionuclide concentration and radon exhalation rate in market available building materials of Ramsar

Samples of structural and covering market available building materials from Ramsar, a northern city of Iran, were analyzed for their radon exhalation rate using an active radon gas analyzer with an emanation container. The radon exhalation rate varied from below the minimum detection limit of 0.01 to 0.31 Bq·m^−2·h^−1 with an average of 0.08 Bq·m^−2·h^−1. The 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K contents were also measured using a high resolution HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer system. The radionuclides contents varied from below the minimum detectable activity up to 73.5, 169, and 1,350 Bq.kg^−1, with the average value of 16 ± 6, 25 ± 11, and 280 ± 101 Bq.kg^−1, respectively. It was concluded from the results that some granite samples along with the block sample were the main source of radon exhalation rate, and the mean values of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in building material samples are below the world average values. Therefore, the use of these market available building materials in construction of Ramsar dwellings is considered to be safe for human habitation.