Evaluation of the radiological risk linked to the external exposure to radioactivity in construction materials of the Giudecca urban section (bova, reggio calabria, Italy)

In this paper, a case study is reported referring to an investigation carried out to evaluate the radioactivity content, and thus the radiological health risk for humans related to external exposure, in construction materials of the Giudecca urban section (Bova, Reggio Calabria, Italy). The analysis of natural radionuclides contents was performed through X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry measurements and the massic concentration (in µg/g) of U, Th, and K was then converted into activity concentration according to Dragovic’s formula. The absorbed γ-dose rate and the Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE) outdoor radiological hazard indices were then assessed. The results obtained from this case study can be used as a baseline for future investigations concerning a more complete mapping of the radioactivity levels in the investigated cultural heritage.