Assessment of natural radioactivity of some quarries raw materials in el-Minya Governorate, Egypt

Abstract EN

This study was undertaken to evaluate natural radionuclides activities of 238U, 232Th, and 40K as well as silica and radon dusts as contaminants to assess the background radiation and distribution of these radionuclides in the soil of some quarries in El-Minya governorate, Egypt.

Also it was done to establish a baseline data on the radiation profile of this area and to assess the radiological impact of these nuclides, silica and radon dusts on the health of the labors children in these quarries as well as assessing the environment quality of the study area.

This work was performed in 10 quarries located in 5 different districts at El-Minya governorate.

The radioactivity concentrations of the natural radionuclides (238U, 232Th and 40K) in the collected quarries soil samples have been determined by gamma ray spectrometry.

The radioactivity concentration values in the investigated soil samples ranged from (25.0±0.3) to (68.0±0.9) Bq kg−1 for 238U, (37.0 ±0.4) to (88.0±2.0) Bq kg−1 for 232Th, and (480.0±11.0) to (820.0 ±13.0) Bq kg−1 for 40K.

The study was performed on 50 working children and 50 non-working controls children.

Five working children have been chosen from each quarry under 17 years old.

All selected working and controls children were subjected to standard questionnaire, clinical examination with special emphasis on respiratory system, chest X-ray PA view and peak flow meter testing.

The total absorbed dose rate values increase with the activity concentration, and consequently enhances the radiological impact on the workers in the quarries.