Radiological impact assessment to the environment due to waste from disposal of porcelain.

The present study aimed to assess the radiological parameters from gamma rays due to the uncontrolled disposal of porcelain waste to the environment. Qualitative and quantitative identification of radionuclides in the investigated samples was carried out by means of a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector. The average activity concentrations of the local porcelain samples were measured as 208.28 Bq/kg for226 Ra, 125.73 Bq/kg for238 U, 84.94 Bq/kg for232 Th and 1033.61 Bq/kg for40 K, respectively. The imported samples had an average activity of 240.57 Bq/kg for226 Ra, 135.56 Bq/kg for238 U, 115.74 Bq/kg for232 Th and 1312.49 Bq/kg for40 K, respectively. Radiological parameters and the radium equivalent Raeq for the investigated samples were calculated. The external and internal hazard indices, representative level index (Iγ ), alpha index (Iα ), and the exemption level (Ix ), were estimated to be higher than the recommended value (unity), while the average activity concentrations for the studied samples were higher than recommended levels. In conclusion, we are concerned that disposal of porcelain in the environment might be a significant hazard.