Gamma Spectrometric Analysis of Different Brands of Cement used in Nigeria

Abstract

The natural radionuclide content of common brands of cement consumed in Nigeria is presented in this work. Samples of 9 brands of grey ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and 5 brands of white cement were collected and analyzed for their radiological content by gamma spectrometry using a 7.6 x 7.6 NaI(Tl) detector. The total average content of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K for all the cement brand samples were 38.1, 27.9, and 301.1 Bq.kg-1 respectively and are lower when compared to the world average (50, 50 and 500 Bq.kg-1) in building materials. The evaluated radium equivalent activities, external and internal hazard indices were lower than the recommended safe limit and are comparable with results from similar studies concluded in other countries. The evaluated mean gonadal dose equivalent of two cement brand samples were found to be higher than the world average in soil while others are less than the world average in soil.