Environmental Effects of Radiation

Dear Colleagues,

The versatile use of radiation in medicine, which extends to the industry, has also provided an extraordinary opportunity for scientific studies conducted in this direction. Today, monitoring and assessing the environmental effects of radiation is a challenging task. In addition, radiation monitoring is crucial for understanding and knowledge of the sources and levels of environmental contamination due to agents that interfere with human health and their surrounding environment. Variable rock/soil characteristics, petrography, mineralogy, geochemistry, physical properties, mechanical properties, shielding features, thermal properties, alteration/weathering processes, natural radioactivity, radiological risk assessment, and mining risk evaluations are all examples in which the environment affects radiation as assessed in rocks, water, and soil for industrial applications. Natural stones of volcanic, sedimentary, or metamorphic origins may be found all over the globe. Due to the variety of colors and sound and the compactness of these stones, they are employed in many construction sectors such as building materials, shielding materials, and dimensional or decorative stones (such as marble and granites, which are the most well known). Despite the fact that decorative works employing natural rocks as ornamental stones are rising in tandem with the growth of the construction industry, there are few studies focused on evaluating the physical and mechanical performance of natural rocks as dimensional or ornamental stones. Furthermore, due to differences in geologic settings, origins, and sedimentary environments, variations in the mineralogical and chemical composition of different types of rock could have a significant impact on their physical (water absorption, density, and porosity), mechanical (strength), and thermal cycling performances. Their natural radioactivity should also be measured in order to determine their suitability for application. Nuclear technology, particularly the use of ionizing radiation, is extensively used across the globe. Ionizing radiation, on the other hand, poses a risk to both radiation workers and the general public. As a result, the most effective approach for radiation protection against ionizing radiation threats is shielding materials. In recent years, several beneficial materials of various sorts have been investigated for their protection against ionizing radiation risks, with focus on the creation of lightweight shielding materials with high processability, broad applicability, and cheap cost. The goal of this Special Issue is to analyze the environmental consequences of natural radiation and the usage of these natural resources, with the goal of developing a novel theory for resource use in real industrial applications, including radiation protection. Furthermore, the Special Issue is interested in novel strategies for exploiting these important resources, including shielding analyses and materials made from these resources. We invite field experts to submit their contributions.

Dr. Hesham M.H. Zakaly
Prof. Dr. Shams A.M. Issa
Dr. Huseyin Ozan Tekin
Guest Editors

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• NORM resources
• radiation hazards
• radiation exposure
• radiation monitoring at mine sites
• utilization
• green method
• nuclear shielding