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Gamma exposure due to building materials in a residential building at Peruíbe, São Paulo, Brazil

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Abstract

It is well known that most building materials contain traces of natural radionuclides. Exposure in dwellings depends on the concentration of building materials and soil down building. The aim of this study is to determine the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in materials and construction products used in the construction of a multistoried building in Peruíbe, São Paulo, Brazil by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. The results show that the building materials analyzed present activity concentration within the range of average world values, except for clay bricks and sand. The building materials analyzed are within the recommended safety dose limit and do not pose any significant source of radiation hazard.

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Acknowledgments

Camila D. is indebted to Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo—FAPESP (Process—13/01841-9) for the financial support as fellowship student during this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes 2242, São Paulo, CEP 05508-000, Brazil

    Camila D. Cazula, Marcia P. Campos & Barbara P. Mazzilli

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  1. Camila D. Cazula
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  2. Marcia P. Campos
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  3. Barbara P. Mazzilli
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Correspondence to Marcia P. Campos.

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Cazula, C.D., Campos, M.P. & Mazzilli, B.P. Gamma exposure due to building materials in a residential building at Peruíbe, São Paulo, Brazil. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 306, 637–640 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4362-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4362-4

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