Abstract

The building materials used in chengam, Tiruvannamalidistrict has been measured for natural radioactivity
concentration analysis using a NaI (Tl) detector based gamma ray spectrometer.The radium equivalent activity
(Raeq), criteria formula (CF),indoor gamma absorbed dose (D R ) rate and annual effective dose rate (HR )
associated with the natural radionuclide are calculated to assess the radiation hazard in the building
materials.The concentrations of the natural radionuclides and the calculated radiation hazards in studied
samples are compared with theinternationally recommended values.The present work shows that the natural
radioactivity levels in the building construction materials used in chengam of Tiruvannmalaidistrictis well
below the acceptable limits. From the analysis, it was found that these materials may be safely used as
construction materials and do not pose significant radiation hazards.