KUALA LUMPUR: Inspections at construction sites will not be carried out until there is strong proof of elevated readings on radioactivity content in building materials.
Dr Mohd Ashhar Hj Khalid director-general Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti) in a statement, said studies conducted by the agency has not shown any elevated readings of radioactivity content in building materials higher than the normal background level.
“Mosti as a research agency has carried out various research and studies concerning radiation safety including radioactivity in construction materials in Malaysia from as early as 1990s.
“So far, the levels of the radioactivity in construction materials at site areas are still under control and there is no sign of radiation risk to the public.
“Due to this, there has been no call for inspection of construction sites,” he said.
Nuclear and radiation experts yesterday had cautioned the public over potential hazards posed by naturally-occurring radioactive elements in construction materials.
Commonly found in materials naturally sourced from earth, uranium and thorium are Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) often found in bricks, cement blocks, granite, marble or glazed tiles used in the construction of homes.
The two elements (uranium and thorium) undergo a natural decaying process to form other harmful elements and emit several types of radiation, particularly alpha, beta or gamma rays.
Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) director-general Hamrah Mohd Ali previously said a statement that excessive exposure to these rays could damage human tissue and cells, and cause health issues or death.
He said apart from the dangers of being exposed to lethal radiation, uranium and thorium also produced radon and thoron, which are also lethal gases.
With regards to building materials and radioactive gases released indoor at homes or offices, the results of the studies conducted by Mosti showed houses located on former tin mines areas contained low concentration of thorium.
“From studies conducted earlier, even the houses located at expected high risk areas such as tin mines, which may contain slightly higher concentration of thorium, had low reading levels of thorium.
“The reading levels are even below the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) and World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level,” he added.
If concern arises with regards to radioactivity in any areas across the nation, Mosti advised the public to contact AELB so that further measures can be taken immediately.