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University of Montenegro, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics , Podgorica , Montenegro
Centre for Ecotoxicological Research - Podgorica , Podgorica , Montenegro
Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in some building materials used in Montenegro were measured by the gamma spectrometry (HPGe spectrometer and multidetector spectrometer PRIPYAT-2M), and the results are presented in this paper. Levels of the radionuclides in analyzed sand, cement, brick, gypsum, ceramic tile, as well as marble and granite, are found to be significantly below the permitted limits for radioactive contamination of building materials used in construction. Hazard indices related to building materials – radium equivalent activity and activity concentration index – have also been evaluated and found to be below 370 Bq/kg (equivalent to the dose rate of 1.5 mSv per year) and 1, respectively. This indicates that materials in question pose no health risk.
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