The natural radioactivity in the bricks used for the construction of the dwelling in Tehran areas of Iran

This paper presents the finding of a study undertaken to determine the natural radioactivity present in bricks in Tehran. A total of 45 samples of commonly used bricks were collected from various manufacturers and suppliers and analyzed using a shielded HPGe gamma ray spectrometer. The specific activities of Ra-226, Th-232, and K-40 were measured in all brick samples, and results ranged from minimum values of 26, 24, and 524 Bq kg(-1) to maximum values of 38, 36, and 820 Bq kg-1 with mean values of 33, 30, and 700 Bq kg(-1) respectively. In general, these activities were comparable to the results of similar studies undertaken in another countries. These activities would suggest that the use of such bricks in construction of dwellings or work places in Tehran is unlikely to give rise to any significant radiation exposure to the occupants.