Radon exhalation rate and natural radionuclide content in building materials of high background areas of Ramsar, Iran

Radon exhalation rates from building materials used in high background radiation areas (HBRA) of Ramsar were measured using an active radon gas analyzer with an emanation container. Radon exhalation rates from these samples varied from below the lower detection limit up to 384 Bq.m−2 h−1. The 226Ra, 232Th and 40K contents were also measured using a high resolution HPGe gamma- ray spectrometer system. The activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K content varied from below the minimum detection limit up to 86,400 Bq kg−1, 187 Bq kg−1 and 1350 Bq kg−1, respectively. The linear correlation coefficient between radon exhalation rate and radium concentration was 0.90. The result of this survey shows that radon exhalation rate and radium content in some local stones used as basements are extremely high and these samples are main sources of indoor radon emanation as well as external gamma radiation from uranium series.

► In the selection process of local samples, portable scintillometer (NaI) was used. ► The activity concentration of 226Ra varied from below the MDL up to 86400 Bq kg−1. ► The activity concentration of 232Th varied from below the MDL up to 187 Bq kg−1. ► The activity concentration of 40K varied from below the MDL up to 1350 Bq kg−1.