Natural radioactivity level of clay, ceramic, and stone cooking dishes in Saudi Arabia

摘要: Standards and guidelines are needed in the manufacture of household cooking dishes from clay, ceramic, stone Saudi Arabia. The radioactivity levels due to presence 40K, 232Th, 226Ra these materials were determined using gamma spectrometry equipped with high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. activity concentrations ranged 5.75 Bq kg−1 (Yemen sample) 192.35 (China ceramic sample), those 232Th 6.17 192.41 40K 43.92 (clay sample manufactured Bahrah, Arabia) 656.96 (ceramic Romania). Radiological indices measured for all samples ascertain potential radiation health hazards. average absorbed dose rate (DR) clay exceeded permissible global limits, exception Makkah, within safety limits. However, most values obtained concentration recommended limit. radium equivalent (Raeq), annual gonadal (AEDE), external hazard index (Hex), (Iγ) found be below internationally accepted safe limit, except a imported China. also had an effective (AEDE) that slightly above unity. total 33 chemical elements estimated by ARL QUANT’X energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. In samples, elements’ reference level values. conclusion, care must taken when stone. Key words: Energy-dispersive (EDXRF) analyzer, spectrometry, hazard, dishes, natural radioactivity.