Assessment of Radiological Significance of the Wastes Generated from the Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) Fertilizer Factory, Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract

The activity concentration of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K was determined in solid and liquid samples collected from the TSP Fertilizer Factory, Chittagong, Bangladesh. A total of 18 samples of seven different kinds (including liquid and solid wastes) were collected and analyzed by gamma ray spectrometry technique using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector of 40% relative efficiency. The analysis of the liquid waste samples showed that the average activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th were 6.26 ± 0.63 and 10.01 ± 1.39 Bq/L, respectively and no 40K was detected in any of the liquid samples. In the solid waste samples the average value of activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K were 187.49 ± 4.88, 70.06 ± 11.76 and 655.94 ± 110.24 Bq/kg, respectively. Considering the stored wastes as a part of the ambient environment of the factory, radium equivalent activity, radiation hazard index and external annual effective dose to the worker and public due to these wastes were also calculated and compared with world average values.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v36i1.10923

Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 36, No. 1, 79-88, 2012