This manuscript describes the natural radioactivity and its health hazard effects due to building materials. An overview of other natural radioactivity sources like uranium, radium, thorium and potassium and, also the types of radiations has been discussed. A brief description of radiation units, exposure limits and guidelines given by International Commission on Radiological Protection is also given. It represents a brief description of radium, thorium and potassium measurement techniques, materials and instruments used in the present study. The building material have been analyzed for radium analysis using Gama Ray Spectroscopy technique. The activity content has been determined by calculating the concentration of these elements in the different building material samples, taken from different areas.

The aim of radiation protection standards is to make the radiation workplace as safe as is humanly possible. The gradual evolution over the last 20 years has been towards a more precise definition of the limits for occupational exposure. These have been created not only in terms of short-term effects but also more importantly in terms of long-term risks involving such problems as the potential for carcinogenesis and genetic change. In the United States the National Committee for Radiation Protection has recom mended that 5 rems (50 mSv) should remain as the maximum permissible dose equiva lent for total body exposure. This would represent the sum of internal and external ex posure and should be regarded as the upper limit allowed. The community of radiation users is required to conduct its operations in such a man ner that the absolute value of the individual's dose equivalent in rems does not exceed his age in years. There should be additional limits for tissues and organs based on short term effects. Therefore, individual organs are limited to dose equivalents low enough to ensure that the dose threshold values are not exceeded.

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Construction (COST Action NORM4Building) discusses the depletion of energy resources and raw materials and its huge impact not only on the building market, but also in the development of new synthetic building materials, whereby the reuse of various (waste) residue streams becomes a necessity. It is based on the outcome of COST Action TU 1301, where scientists, regulators, and representatives from industry have come together to present new findings, sharing knowledge, experiences, and technologies to stimulate research on the reuse of residues containing enhanced concentrates of natural radionuclides (NORM) in tailor-made building materials. Chapters address legislative issues, measurement, and assessment of building materials, physical and chemical aspects, from raw materials, to residues with enhanced concentrations of natural radionuclides (NORM), processes, building products containing NORM, and end-of-life and reuse requirements. - Presents a holistic approach in developing new reuse pathways involving experts on different (technical, chemical, physical, ecological, economical and radiological) aspects of materials - Provides practical guidance that address questions and comments regarding the EU-BSS standards linked to the processing of NORM in building materials - Investigates realistic legislative scenarios - Primarily aimed at industry and actors linked to the industry, but also researchers - Contains a strong international network of expert authors and internal reviewers for each chapter

Most building materials contain naturally occurring radioactive elements, the most important of which are potassium 40K and the members of two natural radioactive series, which can be represented by the isotopes of thorium 232Th and radium 226Ra. The assessment of population exposures due to indoor radiation is very important and therefore knowledge of the concentrations of natural radionuclides in construction materials is required. Construction materials are derived from both natural sources and waste products and also from industry products. Although building materials act as a source of radiation to the inhabitants in their dwellings, they also have the role of a shield against outdoor radiation. Thus, the knowledge of radioactivity in building materials is important to estimate the radiological hazards to human health. Knowledge of basic radiological parameters such as radioactive contents and attenuation coefficients in building materials is important in the assessment of possible radiation exposure of the population as most people spend about 80% of their life inside houses and offices. This knowledge is essential for the development of standards and guidelines for the use of these materials. Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Construction covers recent technical and regulatory developments concerning exposure to NORM. This book brought together experts from a wide range of countries to report on and discuss the progress made in identifying, quantifying and managing the radiological risks associated with industrial processes involving NORM. Chapters give a depiction on legislative issues, measurement, and assessment of building materials, physical and chemical aspects, from raw materials, to residues with enhanced concentrations of natural radionuclides (NORM), processes, building products containing NORM, and end-of-life and reuse requirements. The radionuclide activities of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K and radiological parameters (radium equivalent activity, gamma and alpha indices, the absorbed gamma dose rate and external and internal hazard indices) of building materials commonly used in construction have been studied in this book.This book serves as valuable guide for advanced graduate students, practitioners, researchers, and natural radionuclides processing establishments, as well as for those working in the building materials industry and construction sector, and policy makers.