Assessment of natural radioactivity in raw and manufactured commonly used building materials in Morocco

In addition to the natural radiation we encounter from the Earth and outer space, it's important to consider the impact of building materials on indoor gamma radiation. These materials, such as cements, bricks, gypsums, and Marbles collected from various locations in Morocco, were carefully examined using HPGe spectrometry to determine the concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides. Interestingly, we found significant variations in concentrations among different materials and even within the same material at different sites.

To assess the potential external exposure to gamma rays, we calculated the Gamma Index using the specific activities of 226Ra, 238U, and 40K. Notably, all the values obtained for the analyzed samples were found to be below the reference level recommended in the European Directive 59/2013, indicating that they pose no significant risk.

Our study is the first of its kind to provide valuable data on the radiological composition of commonly used building materials in Morocco. The aim of this work is to enhance our understanding of the potential impact on indoor radiation levels and contribute to informed decision-making in the construction industry.