Natural radioactivity in Jordanian soil and building materials and the associated radiation hazards

Natural radioactivity in soil and building materials was determined using gamma spectrometry. Samples were collected from the populated areas of Jordan. 232Th, 226Ra and 40K activities were determined. Soil samples collected from the Jordan valley showed high 40K concentrations which were due to the presence of a potash factory in the valley. One soil sample from southern sector showed very high 226Ra activity (i.e. 774 Bq kg−1). The derived data were compared with the reported data for other countries in the world. Radium-equivalent activities were calculated for soil and building materials to assess the radiation hazards. Only one soil sample showed very high Raeq activities (i.e. 979 Bq kg−1). All the other soil samples showed Raeq activities within the limit set by OECD countries (i.e. 370 Bq kg−1). A few marble chips samples also showed Raeq activities greater than the OECD limit. Most of the materials examined are acceptable for use as building materials in accord with the OECD criterion.