The Problems of Utilizing Industrial By-Products Contaminated with Natural Radionuclides in Construction

Title: The Problems of Utilizing Industrial By-Products Contaminated with Natural Radionuclides in Construction
Author(s): Kovler
Paper category : conference
Book title: International RILEM Conference on the Use of Recycled Materials in Building and Structures
Editor(s): E. Vázquez, Ch. F. Hendriks and G.M.T. Janssen
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-52-7
e-ISBN: 2912143756
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2004
Pages: 899 - 907
Total Pages: 9
Nb references: 21
Language: English

Abstract: Two examples of industrial by-products having a slightly elevated content of radionuclides
are considered: coal fly ash and phosphogypsum. The properties of both are reviewed and the
advantages of their re-using in construction are shown, as well as the problems caused by
elevated content of chemical/radioactive contaminants. The problem of utilizing such by-products
in construction is discussed. Radiological aspects and legislation issues are analyzed.
The tendency to develop stricter environmental norms observed in the last years in both
national and international scale is discussed. This tendency sometimes faces the difficulty
with the application of the strict environmental norms. The reasons and possible methods of
solving the difficulties with legislation and quality control are discussed. As an example, the
first Israeli Standard 5098 regulating radioactivity in building products is analyzed and
compared to the Radiological Protection Principles Concerning the Natural Radioactivity of
Building Materials Principles of Radiation (Radiation Protection 112, European
Commission).Different methods of purification of removal of radioactive impurities are reviewed. The
new approach based on the topochemical treatment of the material is described. As
preliminary tests show, the radium content in phosphogypsum can be significantly decreased.
Economical and environmental aspects of processing phosphogypsum for environmentally
friendly construction are discussed.

Online publication: 2004-09-29
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00
doi: 10.1617/2912143756.099