Thorium determination in intercomparison samples and in some Romanian building materials by gamma ray spectrometry

Thorium content in zircon sand, thorium ore and thorium liquid sample (EU Laboratories Network Intercomparison), as well as in some Romanian building materials: sand, wood, tufa, asbestos-cement, cement mill dust, coal fly ash, bricks, and tile (28 samples) were determined by gamma ray spectrometry. For the building materials, 226Ra, 40K and 137Cs specific activities were also measured. The results were compared with the Romanian legal norms concerning the highest admissible levels for 232Th, 226Ra, and 40K radioactivity, and to Th, U, and K concentration values previously determined in our laboratory on similar types of samples. (author)