Determination of indoor doses and excess lifetime cancer risks caused by building materials containing natural radionuclides in Malaysia

TLDR

The study assessed whether building materials in Malaysia pose radiological hazards to human health. The authors measured 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in 102 building material samples with HPGe detectors and modeled long‑term indoor exposure using RESRAD‑BUILD up to age 70. The modeled excess lifetime cancer risks and effective doses were low (ELCR 0.42–3.65 × 10⁻³; TEDE 92–782 µSv y⁻¹) and below regulatory limits, indicating negligible radiological hazards.

Abstract

The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K from 102 building materials samples were determined using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The activity concentrations were evaluated for possible radiological hazards to the human health. The excess lifetime cancer risks (ELCR) were also estimated, and the average values were recorded as 0.42 ± 0.24 × 10−3, 3.22 ± 1.83 × 10−3, and 3.65 ± 1.85 × 10−3 for outdoor, indoor, and total ELCR respectively. The activity concentrations were further subjected to RESRAD-BUILD computer code to evaluate the long-term radiation exposure to a dweller. The indoor doses were assessed from zero up to 70 years. The simulation results were 92 ± 59, 689 ± 566, and 782 ± 569 μSv y−1 for indoor external, internal, and total effective dose equivalent (TEDE) respectively. The results reported were all below the recommended maximum values. Therefore, the radiological hazards attributed to building materials under study are negligible.