Citation :

Yusuf Saleh Hameed Abu hajib, Abdu Hamoud Al-Khawlany, P.P. Pawar, "Analysis of Gamma Radiation Exposure and Health Risk Indices in Construction Rocks from Al-Mahra, Yemen," International Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 6-22, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23500301/IJAP-V13I3P102

Abstract

Exposure to natural background radiation occurs continuously, particularly indoors, where people spend much of their time. Rocks used as building materials may contain radioactive nuclides that contribute to radiation exposure. This study evaluates the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K in rock samples used as building materials in Al-Mahara Governorate, Yemen, using a High-Purity Germanium (HPGe) detector. Th activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K were 41.99± 4.23, 32.38± 4.38, and 610.9± 34.22 Bq/kg, respectively, which are higher than the global averages of 35, 30, and 400 Bq/kg, respectively. The calculated radiation risk. The average values of the radiological hazard parameters for all investigated rock types were: Raeq = 135.773 Bq/kg, Dᵣ = 64.3464 nGy/h, Dₑff (indoor) = 0.31566 mSv/y, and Dₑff (outdoor) = 0.07891 mSv/y. The average values of the external hazard index (Hₑₓ) and internal hazard index (Hᵢₙ) were 0.3655 and 0.47899, respectively, while the Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) were 0.27701 and 0.45691 mSv/y, respectively. Consequently, Andesite Tuff is unsafe for interior residential construction, and its quarrying for housing should be restricted. All organ-specific doses (ET) remain significantly below the public limit of 1 mSv/y .

Keywords

Radionuclides, Radiological risks, Gamma spectrometer, Construction rocks.

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