CONSTRUCTION AND DECORATION MATERIALS USED IN MOSCOW REGION RADIOACTIVITY DATABASE

Beginning in 1993 Laboratory of Environmental Radioactivity “LRK-1 MEPhI” executes structural and decoration materials used in Moscow region radioactivity experimental research. Received by this research information and its subsequent analysis are evidence of effective input radiation monitoring necessity.
Raw and structural materials effective and mass radiation monitoring system organization necessity is caused by constantly increasing volume of Moscow region building and by large number of construction materials providers number drawn in this process. Natural stone (or based on it) so called prestige decoration materials usage shows fast and constant increase. The materials mentioned can have a significant radiation background and can cause negative consequences for men's health with long-duration internal irradiation. It is significant that dose measurements in rooms decorated with such materials gives very little information about radiation safety. Thus, it's especially important to check particular samples of structural materials by means of gamma-spectrometry and carry out the comparative analysis of the results received with regard to already existed information.
For this task complete decision “LRK-1 MEPhI” developed “Construction materials radiation characteristics” database. Starting base data are Moscow region materials radiation measurements results received by HPGe low-background gamma-spectrometer. The measurements are executed since 1993 and today the base has information about ~2500 material and raw samples received from ~200 providers. Base characteristics allow to carry out statistical analysis and operatively organize different parameters inquiries. Database network version was executed that allows people and organizations concerned to structural and raw materials operatively receive radiation quality information (see Appendix). In database presented À_eff.m. parameter is used.

Database usage allows to answer any questions about structural materials imported to Moscow region..

Appendix. What is radiation quality measured by. Accordingly to Russian Federal Law, the usage of construction and decoration materials with natural radionuclides unknown content is prohibited. That means the implementation of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K radionuclides content standards. Accordingly to NRB-99 Radiation Safety Standards and GOST 30108-94 rate setting is executed using specific effective activity parameter:

A_eff = A_Ra + 1.31A_Th + 0.085A_K,

where A_Ra, A_Th, A_K - specific activities of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K radionuclides accordingly, Bk/kg.

Accordingly to GOST 30108-94 the value for specific effective activity evaluation and material class establishing are conducted by following formula:

A_{eff m} = A_eff+ D,

where D - absolute error of A_eff determination.

• For materials used for newly built dwelling and public buildings (1 class) A_{eff m} must be no more than 370 Bk/kg.
• For materials used for road building within settlement, long-term building and industrial structures building (2 class) A_{eff m} must be no more than 740 Bk/kg.
• For materials used for road building off settlements (3 class) A_{eff m} must be no more than 1500 Bk/kg.
• If A_{eff m} is more than 1500 Bk/kg, material use possibility coordinated each time by State Sanitary Superintendence.

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