Atmosphere and Earth Physics Environmental Radioactivity Measurements of Some Egyptian Sand Samples

A long list of row materials are brought from the desert and invested in feeding of many industries. The investigation of radionuclides distribution and radiation levels of such materials is important to assess the potential hazard of radiation exposure for those working in such industries. In this work the high-resolution gamma-ray spectroscopic system was used to measure the radionuclides content and to calculate some related parameters in three sand samples collected by a local company working in glass industry. Based on the characteristic spectral peaks, the radionuclides Ra, Th and K concentrations were determined. The activity concentrations for U were 91.51 ± 4.94, 111.47 ± 6.01 and 81.83 ± 4.41; for Th were 73.37 ± 3.96, 91.30 ± 4.92, 75.98 ± 4.10; and for K were 572.24 ± 30.89, 723.00 ± 39.03, and 807.13 ± 43.57 BqKg. The calculated radium-equivalent activities were (Raeq) 240.48 ±12.98, 297.69±16.07 and 252.62 ± 13.63 Bqkg, which were less than permitted value (370B qkg). Also, the hazard index (Hin) for the 3 samples were 0.89 ± 0.04, 1.10 ± 0.05, and 0.90 ± 0.04. The total absorbed dose rates in air were 111.69 ± 6.03, 138.32 ± 7.47, and 118.63 ± 6.41 (nGyh), whereas the external annual effective dose rates were 0.136 ± 0.007, 0.169 ± 0.009, and 0.145 ± 0.007 (msVy). The radon exhalation rates, measured by passive nuclear track detectors (CR-39), were 0.26 ± 0.014, 0.33 ± 0.017, and 0.23 ± 0.012 Bqmh. These data records the radioactivity background levels in sand samples used for glass industry and could be used as reference information to assess any changes in the radioactive background level due to geological processes.