Assessment of Levels of Natural Radioactivity in Sand Samples Collected from Ekalakala in Machakos County, Kenya

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dc.contributor.authorMunyao, Lucia Nyiva
dc.contributor.authorKetui, Daniel Kipngetich
dc.contributor.authorOtieno, Calford
dc.contributor.authorChege, Margaret Wairimu
dc.date.accessioned2020-08-28T12:27:01Z
dc.date.available2020-08-28T12:27:01Z
dc.date.issued2020
dc.descriptionA research article published in The Scientific World Journalen_US
dc.description.abstractConstruction sand is naturally polluted with radionuclides of terrestrial origin. In this study, specific activities of 238U, 232+, and 40K in 30 sand samples collected along the Ekalakala River, Machakos County, Kenya, were measured using a high-purity germanium c-ray spectrometer. +e specific activities ranged between 9.7 Bqkg−1 and 24.0 Bqkg−1, 11.5 Bqkg−1 and 26.2 Bqkg−1, and 820 Bqkg−1 and 1850 Bqkg−1 for 238U, 232+, and 40K, respectively. While the mean specific activities for 238U and 232+were less than half of the world average values of 33 Bqkg−1 and 45 Bqkg−1, respectively, the average specific activity of 40K was significant since it was three times the global mean value of 420 Bqkg−1. A calculated absorbed radiation dose rate for the sand varied between 46.8 nGyh−1 and 94.2 nGyh−1 with a mean of 68.5 ± 13.3 nGyh−1. +is is not significantly different from the world average dose rate of 60 nGyh−1 for geological samples. +e AEDR and Hex had maximum values of 0.29 mSvy−1 and 0.52, respectively, both within the recommended limits of radiation exposure for members of the general public. Based on these results, the sand from Ekalakala River does not pose significant health implication to the sand harvesters as well as the inhabitants of the houses constructed using this sand.en_US
dc.identifier.citationMunyao, L. N., Ketui, D. K., Otieno, C., & Chege, M. W. (2020). Assessment of Levels of Natural Radioactivity in Sand Samples Collected from Ekalakala in Machakos County, Kenya. The Scientific World Journal, 2020.en_US
dc.identifier.issn1537-744X
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1155/2020/7269840
dc.identifier.urihttp://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/20278
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherHindawien_US
dc.subjectNatural Radioactivityen_US
dc.subjectEkalakalaen_US
dc.subjectMachakosen_US
dc.subjectKenyaen_US
dc.titleAssessment of Levels of Natural Radioactivity in Sand Samples Collected from Ekalakala in Machakos County, Kenyaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US
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