Radioactivity content in natural stones used as building materials in Puglia region analysed by high resolution gamma-ray spectroscopy: Preliminary results

Abstract In this study, for the first time, was measured the concentration of the natural gamma-ray emitting radionuclides of 238U, 232Th series and 40K in building materials used in Puglia region. The selected samples consist on calcarenitic stones: Pietra Leccese, Pietra Mazzara and Carparo. The results show that the Pietra Leccese specific activity of 226Ra, 238U, 40K are higher than Pietra Mazzara and Carparo ones. 232Th radionuclide activity is in accordance for all samples. Consequently, the gamma index, useful for gamma-ray exposure estimation, was calculated. This value for each analysed sample is below the reference level reported in European Directive 59/2013.