
Radiological Hazards for Marble and Granite Used at Shak El Thouban Industrial Zone in Egypt 47
from 0.39 to 0.54 and 14.86 to 155.26 μBq/(kg·s), re-
spectively. The mass exhalation rate of 222Rn in marble
and granite were varied from 14.86 to 137.13 and 16.48
to 155.26 µBq/kg·s, respectively.
Figure 2 shows a strong correlation between the spe-
cific activity of 226Ra and 222Rn mass exhalation rate with
(R2 = 0.986, N = 26) for marble and granite samples,
which means that 222Rn and 226Ra accompanied each
other and that the individual result for any one of the
radionuclide concentration is a good predictor of the
concentration of the other.
4. Conclusions
Environmental monitoring should be carried out for mar-
bles and granites used at Shak El Thouban industrial
zone in Katameyya, Egypt where people might be ex-
posed to radioactivity. The levels of natural radioactivity
in marble and granite samples were determined using
high resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. The results can
be useful in the assessment of the radiological hazard
associated with the exposures and the radiation doses due
to naturally radioactive element contents in marble and
granite samples. We noticed that there is a strong corre-
lation between radium-226 and uranium-238 in marbel
and granite samples which means that the two elements
accompanied each other. Also, there is a strong correlation
between the specific activity of radium and radon mass
exhalation rate, so the knowledge of uranium concentra-
tions gives a good estimate of the radon concentrations in
the samples and its escape to the atmosphere.
The present study showed that the measured marble
samples were within the recommended safety limits and
did not pose any significant source of radiation hazard
inhabitants. It is also clear that, the high activity concen-
tration, radioactive level and mass exhalation rate of the
radon within most granite samples pose a radiation haz-
ard to the workers and users of the this product and cause
a great effect on the humans health, especially those
working in closed spaces since the emanated radon may
R2 = 0.986
N = 26
0 20 40 60 80100 120 140 160180
Specific activity of 226Ra (Bq/kg)
0
30
60
90
120
150
180
Mass exhalation rate for 222Rn
(μBp/kg.s)
Figure 2. Mass exhalation rate for 222Rn verses specific ac-
tivity of 226Ra for all samples under investigation.
be accumulated by time. Therefore, safety rules and pre-
cautions should be necessary for workers and users of
granite types, especially in closed spaces.
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