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Description
The radiological characterization of building materials is essential to evaluate their potential contribution to indoor radon levels and to better understand the mechanisms governing radon release from building products. In this context, both the intrinsic radioactive content of raw materials and their final physical state may influence radon exhalation behavior.
This work presents an experimental study aimed at characterizing selected building materials through a combined radiometric and radon exhalation approach. First, powdered samples representative of the materials were analyzed by high-resolution gamma spectrometry using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector to determine the activity concentration of natural radionuclides, with particular attention to the uranium series. Radon exhalation rates from the same powdered samples were subsequently measured using accumulation chamber techniques with E-PERM electret detectors.
In addition, the same characterization procedure was applied to finished material pieces representative of their final industrial form, allowing a direct comparison between powdered samples and consolidated products. This approach enables the evaluation of the relationship between radioactive content and radon exhalation for both material states.
The study aims to provide a consistent experimental framework for understanding how material processing and physical state may influence radon release, contributing to improved assessment of the radiological behavior of building materials.