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Radiation Protection Dosimetry Advance Access published online on March 10, 2006
Radiation Protection Dosimetry, doi:10.1093/rpd/ncl011
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© The Author 2006. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL PAPER

RADIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISATION OF DISPOSED PHOSPHOGYPSUM IN BRAZIL: EVALUATION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

A. J. G. Santos 1, P. S. C. Silva 1, B. P. Mazzilli 1 *, and D. I. T. Fávaro 2

1 Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares, Laboratório de Radiometria Ambiental, IPEN, Brazil
2 Laboratório de Análise por Ativação, Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2242, Cidade Universitária, CEP 05508-000, São Paulo, Brazil

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
B. P. Mazzilli, E-mail: mazzilli{at}ipen.br


  Abstract

Phosphogypsum, a waste by-product derived from the wet process production of phosphoric acid, represents a serious problem facing the phosphate industry in Brazil. This by-product (mainly calcium sulphate dihydrate) precipitates during the reaction of sulphuric acid with phosphate rock and is stored at a rate of about 4 x 106 kg per day on several piles in Cubatão, Brazil. Contents of natural radionuclides from thorium and uranium series were measured in Brazilian phosphogypsum samples from disposal piles, using high-resolution gamma ray spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis (NAA). These phosphogypsum piles present a potential threat to the surrounding environment and to the individual occupationally exposed. The results obtained in this study show that radionuclides, although present in relatively high concentrations in phosphogypsum, do not imply in significant doses for individuals occupationally exposed. The results obtained for the water activity in the monitor wells showed that the run-off of the piles is influenced by the activity present in the piles, giving indication of a possible groundwater contamination. Sediments from rivers in the area of influence of the pile presented higher concentrations of 238U and 232Th when compared with reference values.


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