Environmental radioactivity distribution in architectural biology: Emission of ionizing radiation from radionuclides in the environment and building materials

In this study the indoor and outdoor levels of radioactivity found in some public and private buildings are analyzed, considering the average annual exposure to ionizing radiation of  type, by a person working or living in such structures. For such a determination, an experimental portable device, able to measure any kind of radioactivity, was used ("medCONT" by "ROM-Elektronik GmbH"), coupled to a sensitive NaI crystal scintillation detector (SCINTIBLOC 76576 by "Saint Gobain"). Radioactivity measurements recorded in the investigated indoor and outdoor environments, are discussed in relation to the used building materials and by analyzing the geological characteristics of the standing building areas: the ionizing radiations are mainly due to the presence of 40K, uraniferous minerals and radon gas. Finally, it is proposed a procedure, which is supplementary in comparison to the classical ones commonly applied (based on the use of dosimeters with activated carbon or of chemical type), in order to achieve a detailed mapping of the environmental radioactivity distribution in the urban and extra-urban areas of a country. This procedure could be very helpful to perform fast and effective health controls in private and public places (schools, offices, private and public buildings, etc.) following law prescriptions and safety rules of any country.