Browsing by Author "Altikulac A."

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Health hazards due to the exposure to radon in schools of the cappadocia region
(2017-01-01) Turhan S.; Akyurek S.; Erdogan M.; Kurnaz A.; Altikulac A.
This study presents the results of a survey of radon concentrations in schools (kindergartens, primary schools, secondary schools, high schools, colleges, and one faculty) located in the province of Nevsehir which is the center of the Cappadocia region. Radon measurements covered two consecutive 6-month periods in the ground floor classrooms inside the school buildings and they were performed using a continuous active radon detector (AlphaGUARD PQ2000 PRO). Data distribution is well fitted by a log-normal curve. The arithmetic average value of the radon concentrations measured in summer and winter was found as 75 ×12 Bqm–3 and 67 × 10 Bqm–3, respectively. From the measured results, the effective doses from radon exposures in summer and winter were estimated as 0.27 and 0.40 mSv and 0.24 and 0.36 mSv for students and teachers, respectively. The results showed that radon concentration measured in schools does not pose significant health hazards for students and teachers.
Natural radiation exposure and radon exhalation rate of building materials used in Turkey
(2018-06-01) Turhan S.; Temirci A.T.; Kurnaz A.; Altikulac A.; Goren E.; Karatasli M.; Kirisik R.; Hancerliogullari A.
Measuring the natural radioactivity levels and radon exhalation rates (surface and mass) in building materials is essential to evaluate the extent of radiation exposure (external and internal) for residents in dwellings. Gamma-ray spectrometry with a high purity germanium detector was used to measure the activity concentrations of226Ra,232Th, and40K in some building materials used in Turkey. Moreover, an active radon gas analyser with an accumulation container was used to measure their radon surface and mass exhalation rates. Results showed that the activity concentrations of226Ra,232Th, and40K varied from 5.2 ± 0.6 (satin plaster) to 187.0 ± 2.4 (granite) Bqkg–1, 2.6 ± 0.8 (gypsum) to 172.2 ± 7.6 (granite) Bqkg–1 and 12.3 ± ±.17.0 (sand) to 1958.0 ± 83.4 (brick) Bqkg–1, respectively. Radon surface and mass exhalation rates varied from 2.9 (marble) to 2734.6 mBqm–2h–1 (granite) and 0.033 (marble) to 53.866 mBqkg–1h–1 (granite), respectively. The activity concentration index, indoor absorbed gamma dose rate and corresponding annual effective dose were estimated and compared with the recommended limit values. The results indicated that the building materials sampled presented no significant radiological risk.