title: Activity concentrations and dose rates from decorative granite countertops.
abstract: The gamma radiation emitted from a variety of commercial decorative granites available for use in U.S. homes has been measured with portable survey meters as well as an NaI(Th) gamma spectrometer. The (40)K, U-nat, and (232)Th activity concentrations were determined using a full-spectrum analysis. The dose rates that would result from two different arrangements of decorative granite slabs as countertops were explored in simulations involving an adult anthropomorphic phantom.
authors.affiliation: Rice University, 6100 S. Main St. - MS-315, Houston, TX 77005, United States. llope@rice.edu
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Llope
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis* / Q000633:toxicity; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008420:Manufactured Materials / Q000633:toxicity*; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000633:toxicity*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D013910:Thorium / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity; D014481:United States; D014501:Uranium / Q000032:analysis / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D011197:Potassium Radioisotopes; C007886:granite; D014501:Uranium; D013910:Thorium; D012822:Silicon Dioxide