Determination of natural radioactivity and radiological hazards of sediment sands in Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India

In Tamil Nadu, India, sand from river beds are being used as a part of construction material. The radiological impact of natural radioactive materials present in river sands in Tiruchirappalli District are measured using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The average activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th and 40K are measured to be 9.91 ± 4.74 Bq kg−1, 18.30 ± 4.17 Bq kg−1 and 309.51 ± 23.23 Bq kg−1, respectively. The average values of radiation hazards such as radium equivalent, hazard index, annual effective dose equivalent and annual gonadal dose equivalent are 55.29 ± 11.45 Bq kg−1, 0.14 ± 0.02 and 0.19 ± 0.05 (Hex and Hin), 31.96 ± 5.85 µSv y−1 and 127.84 ± 23.4 µSv y−1 (outdoor and indoor) and 187.78 ± 30.60 µSv/y−1, respectively. These values are compared with the international and Indian standard values and they lie below the recommended limits. Hence the sediment sand samples do not pose any significant radiological concern and could be used for construction purposes.