Evaluation of Natural Radioactivity in Granite and Marble used as Flooring Materials in Baghdad Province/ Iraq

Abstract

Twenty four  samples of  various granites and marble used common as flooring materials were collected from many factories and market in Baghdad Province, Iraq. Natural radioactivity of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in the samples was measured by using high purity germanium detectors with an efficiency of 40%. The Specific activity concentration in granite samples ranged from 9.20 to 79.64 Bq/kg, 10.50 to 229.40 Bq/kg and 185.30 to 1391.20 Bq/kg for ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, respectively. The estimated  of radiological parameters: radium equivalent activity (R_eq), activity concentration Index (I) and hazard indices (internal (H_in) and External (H_ex)) that associated with the radiation hazard in the samples. The results of activity specific concentrations and radiological parameters  of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were compared with the reported data of the worldwide limit of building materials.