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Radionuclide concentration and radon exhalation in new mix design of bricks produced reusing NORM by-products: The influence of mineralogy and texture

TitleRadionuclide concentration and radon exhalation in new mix design of bricks produced reusing NORM by-products: The influence of mineralogy and texture
Publication TypeArticolo su Rivista peer-reviewed
Year of Publication2020
AuthorsColetti, C., Brattich E., Cinelli Giorgia, Cultrone G., Maritan L., Mazzoli C., Mostacci D., Tositti L., and Sassi R.
JournalConstruction and Building Materials
Volume260
ISSN09500618
KeywordsActivity concentration, Brick, Ceramics industry, Industrial by-products, industrial sludge, Minerals, Naturally occurring radioactive materials, New building materials, Product design, Radioisotopes, radionuclide concentration, Radon, Raw materials, Risk assessment, Risk management, Secondary Raw Materials, Sustainable resources, Textures
Abstract

Many industrial by-products contain Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) that normally represent a cost in terms of monitoring, risk management and storage. When included in new mix designs of bricks, these materials may become a valuable sustainable resource. Before marketing, companies involved in development and commercialization of these new building materials ensure safety related to radiation, usually by assessing radon-related risk. According to the Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom, both raw materials and final products used in building constructions need to be tested for activity concentration. The present work explores the radionuclide concentration and the radon exhalation of bricks obtained recycling different types of potentially radioactive wastes: i) trachyte as by-product resulting from quarrying operations, and ii) two different types of industrial sludge derived from ceramic tiles industry. Raw materials were studied to foresee any potential radioactive risk derived from their use as secondary raw materials, while bricks were investigated to assess the influence of mineralogy and texture on their radioactive properties and their effective radon-risk. The results obtained here show that, although radon emanation in bricks is primarily determined by radionuclide concentration in the raw materials, textural features significantly affect radon mobility and exhalation. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Notes

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URLhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85086829504&doi=10.1016%2fj.conbuildmat.2020.119820&partnerID=40&md5=4d8137e6bdab503328f1510fb54503f3
DOI10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119820
Citation KeyColetti2020