Study of natural radioactivity and trace-element content capable of generating long-lived γ-ray activity in cements

Cement is an important component of concrete used as a shielding material in nuclear accelerators and reactors. Hence cement samples should be analysed for the presence of certain trace elements that may get activated by neutrons emitted during the production of radioisotopes in an accelerator, so as to minimize the low level radioactive waste to be handled during decommissioning. With this motivation the present work was undertaken and 44 samples of five broad classes of cements were analysed for natural radioactivity (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th & ⁴⁰K) and trace elements capable of generating long lived gamma radioactivity due to neutron activation. (author)