Radon exhalation from fly-ash geopolymer mortar

Abstract

Geopolymers are a type of alkali activated binders, inorganic aluminosilicate polymers with amorphous cross-linked structure. Fly-ash is produced in abundance during coal firing, and poses an environmental and health risk in untreated powder form. Fly-ash geopolymer presents a sustainable alternative to Portland cement, due to lower net greenhouse gas emissions. Presence of naturally occurring radioactive elements in fly-ash is one of the factors taken into account when estimating the safety of fly-ash based building materials. Radon, a radioactive noble gas originating from the decay of radium, can leave the material and contribute to internal dose in closed spaces, so radon exhalation is of special interest. Radon exhalation for a standard sample of fly-ash geopolymer mortar was measured.