Radioactive analysis and radiological hazards of sand in Weifang, China

Background: The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in sand used as building material in Weifang of China were investigated for evaluating the radiation hazard. Materials and Methods: Sand samples were collected from Weifang and their radioactivity levels were measured using gamma-ray spectrometry. The radiation hazard for residents was assessed by radium equivalent activity (Raeq), indoor air absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR). Results: The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K ranged from 11.7 to 23.0, 33.6 to 126.1 and 353.2 to 924.8 Bq kg−1 with averages of 15.5, 70.3 and 802.9 Bq kg-1, respectively. All Raeq values were lower than the limit of 370 Bq kg-1. The mean value of D was higher than the world population-weighted average of 84 nGy h-1, while the mean AED and ELCR values were below the internationally accepted values. Conclusions: The use of sand in construction of dwellings is considered to be safe for inhabitants.