Radioactivity in building materials and radiation dose to residents in Guangxi region

The survey of radioactivity in building materials and its radiation dose to the residents in Guangxi region in 1988-1989 is described. Seventeen types of building materials, including 939 samples, were measured by NaI(Te) gamma spectrometer and radiochemical analyses. The results showed that, for the indices of internal and external radiation, granite and coal cinder brick had the highest values among building materials of wall while lime stone and concrete had the lowest values. The contents of radionuclides in main building materials had a skew distribution. The effective dose equivalents to indoor residents from internal and external radiation due to mixed building materials were 0.26 and 0.39 mSv/a, respectively. The contributed indoor doses varied with types and ratios of building materials used