Naturally Occurring Radionuclides of Paper Ashes and Their Effect in the Environment

Abstract

The concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²²⁸Th, and ⁴⁰K) in ashes of papers such as magazines and newspapers were determined from the nuclide concentrations in the papers and the ash contents of the papers. The average ²²⁶Ra, ²²⁸Ra, ²²⁸Th, and ⁴⁰K concentrations in the 34 ashes were respectively 27, 68, 75, and 75Bq kg⁻¹. The radium equivalent activities of the ashes were calculated to evaluate the hazard of &gannma;-ray radiation from the ashes in the environment. A copying paper sample showed a high radium equivalent activity of 602Bq kg⁻¹. However, the average radium equivalent activity was 140Bq kg⁻¹ and was lower than the level that causes an environmental health problem.