Assessment of Radioactivity in Concrete Made with e-Waste Plastic

Abstract The paper reports the impact of e-waste plastic [high-impact polystyrene (HIPS)] mixing in concrete on its radioactivity profile. The concrete was prepared with HIPS as a partial replacement for coarse aggregate in varying percentages by volume and radioactivity concentrations of 238U, 232Th, and 40K were measured using gamma-ray spectrometer and radon activity by solid state nuclear track detector (SSNTD) technique. Both gamma radiation and radon activity in standard concrete and concrete with HIPS were well within the permissible limit. However, the gamma-radiation level and radon activity decreased with an increase in HIPS content of the concrete. The study concludes that the concrete with HIPS does not pose any radiation hazard and, hence, is suitable as a construction material.