Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
8082963 | Journal of Environmental Radioactivity | 2014 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Natural materials such as rock, ore, and clay, containing natural radioactive nuclides are widely used as industrial raw materials in Japan. If these are high concentrations, the workers who handle the material can be unknowingly exposed to radiation at a high level. In this study, about 80 nonmetallic natural materials frequently used as industrial raw materials in Japan were comprehensively collected from several industrial companies, and the activity concentrations of 238U series, 232Th series and 40K in the materials was determined by ICP-MS (inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometer) and gamma ray spectrum analyses. Effective doses to workers handling them were estimated by using methods for dose estimation given in the RP 122. We found the activity concentrations to be lower than the critical values defined by regulatory requirements as described in the IAEA Safety Guide. The maximum estimated effective dose to workers handling these materials was 0.16 mSv yâ1, which was lower than the reference level (1-20 mSv yâ1) for existing situation given in the ICRP Publ.103.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Nuclear Energy and Engineering
Authors
Kazuki Iwaoka, Hiroyuki Tabe, Hidenori Yonehara,