Building materials are important source of public exposure to naturally occurring radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th, and 40K). This study measured the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in commonly used cement brands sold in Tororo, using NaI(Tl) gamma spectrometry. The 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K concentrations were used to compute key radiological indicators which includes radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose (AED), hazard indices (Hex, Hin), gamma index (Iγ), and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGED) with uncertainties properly accounted for. Most cement samples complied with international screening limits (Hex < 1, Iγ ≤ 1, Raeq ≤ 370 Bq kg⁻¹), suggesting they are generally safe for indoor construction. A few samples, however, approached recommended limits on certain indices. This finding highlights the importance of routine market surveillance, careful procurement, and simple risk-reduction practices such as ensuring good indoor ventilation or blending cement lots during construction. Brand to brand variability was evident and is likely linked to differences in raw material origins, blending ratios, and production processes. These variations underscore the need for lot specific testing, rather than relying solely on brand assurances. This study assesses compliance and provides a practical workflow for radiological evaluation of cement in Uganda covering sampling, calibration, uncertainty analysis, and decision index calculation. This is important for regulators, standards bodies, and testing laboratories as a reliable basis for evidence-based procurement and radiological safety guidance in the building sector.
Waiswa et al. (Sun,) studied this question.