ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY AND RADIOLOGICAL HAZARD OF KOSOVO CEMENTS

This study examines the natural radioactivity in cements and raw materials used in cement production industry. The activity concentrations in raw materials show variable values with maximum concentrations found in minor constituents (<1%), opalite. However, its contribution on natural radioactivity in clinker is relatively low. The mean activity concentration in clinker is found to be 189 ± 15 Bq/kg for 40K, 21 ± 2 Bq/kg for 226Ra and 26 ± 3 Bq/kg for 232Th. The activity concentration of natural radionuclides of 40K, 226Ra and 232Th in different cement types was found to vary from 158-181 Bq/kg, 26-34 Bq/kg and 28-41 Bq/kg respectively. The activity concentration index (ACI) is used as a screening tool to assess the radiological hazard due to use of cements as building materials. The ACI values are found to vary from 0.29 to 0.37. We conclude that potentially cements do not pose any significant risk to humans due to their use as building material in dwellings.