Gamma exposure due to building materials in a residential building at Peruibe, Sao Paulo, Brazil

It is well known that most building materials contain traces of natural radionuclides. Exposure in dwellings depends on the concentration of building materials and soil down building. The aim of this study is to determine the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K in materials and construction products used in the construction of a multistoried building in Peruibe, Sao Paulo, Brazil by high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry. The results show that the building materials analyzed present activity concentration within the range of average world values, except for clay bricks and sand. The building materials analyzed are within the recommended safety dose limit and do not pose any significant source of radiation hazard. (author)