External gamma-ray dose rate and radon concentration in indoor environments covered with Brazilian granites

Health hazard from natural radioactivity in Brazilian granites, covering the walls and floor in a typical dwelling room, was assessed by indirect methods to predict external gamma-ray dose rates and radon concentrations. The gamma-ray dose rate was estimated by a Monte Carlo simulation method and validated by in-situ measurements with a NaI spectrometer. Activity concentrations of 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K in an extensive selection of Brazilian commercial granite samples measured by using gamma-ray spectrometry were found to be 4.5–450 Bq kg−1, 4.9–160 Bq kg−1 and 190–2029 Bq kg−1, respectively. The maximum external gamma-ray dose rate from floor and walls covered with the Brazilian granites in the typical dwelling room (5.0 m × 4.0 m area, 2.8 m height) was found to be 120 nGy h−1, which is comparable with the average worldwide exposure to external terrestrial radiation of 80 nGy h−1 due to natural sources, proposed by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. Radon concentrations in the room were also estimated by a simple mass balance equation and exhalation rates calculated from the measured values of 226Ra concentrations and the material properties. The results showed that the radon concentration in the room ventilated adequately (0.5 h−1) will be lower than 100 Bq m−3, value recommended as a reference level by the World Health Organization.

► We used indirect methods to predict external gamma dose rate and radon concentration.
► The gamma-ray dose rate was estimated by a Monte Carlo simulation method.
► The results were validated by in-situ measurements with a NaI spectrometer.
► Radon concentrations in the room were estimated by a simple mass balance equation.
► Radon concentration in the room ventilated adequately will be lower than 100 Bq m−3.