Determination of radioactivity levels in black and white sands used for buildings and estimation of radiation hazards in the north-west region of Ethiopia

One hundred and two black and white sand samples were compiled from disparate sand excavates from the affluent rivers of Lake Tana. The supreme values of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were calculated in Bq Kg^-1 units from black sand samples, while the undermost deals were found from pieces of white sand. The potential radiological health parameters were sized up by determining the radium equivalent progressively activity (Ra_eq), outdoor immersed gamma potion rate (D_out), annual effective potion rate, internal hazard (H_in) and external hazard (H_ex) indices and gamma index from using those sands in the erection of dwellings and large buildings. The outcomes acquired show that the annual potion immersed by occupants due to sand construction use in the north-west region of Ethiopia is <1.0 mSv y^-1, while the outdoor absorbed dose rate, gamma index and internal hazard index are higher than the quoted values of 55 nG h^-1, 1 and 1, respectively. (authors)