Estimation of Natural Radioactivity in some cement samples used for building in Jimma Town

Abstract

In this experimental study three cement samples were collected from different shops and the samples were labeled as CMSX, CMSY, and CMSZ . A 527,554.8 and 505.29gm of cement samples were weighted and sealed in the same cylindrical plastic containers for four weeks as to have secular equilibrium between progenies and the parent in the laboratories. Each samples were measured at different time in the same place using NaI(TI) gamma spectroscopy detectors and identifies the radionuclide found in these samples. Calibration process carried out for gamma spectroscopy using 440volt as a reference source which recommended by IAEA including source 137Cs, 22N a and 241Am with four energy levels. According to this experimental measurement result shows that the cement sample labeled as CMSY was more radioactive than the other samples. That means the amount of radionuclide such as 226Ra, 232T h , and 40K found in this sample has greater than the two samples. The specific activity concentration of 226Ra, 232T h , and 40K was found in cement sample CMSY is 101.22 Bqkg−1 ,11.90 Bqkg−1 , 52.43 Bqkg−1 respectively.