Aiming to extend the scope of utilizing glass in radiation shielding, this work investigates the radiation interaction response of a borate-based glass system. Four borate-glass samples of different substituting concentrations of calcium oxide ( $$70-x$$70 - x )B₂O₃: $$10$$10 Na₂O $$:5$$: 5 Al₂O₃ $$:15$$: 15 BaO: $$x$$x CaO were prepared. To assess the shielding performance of the prepared glass samples, a high-purity germanium detector and different radioactive sources (different energies) were used. Via the narrow beam method, the linear attenuation coefficients (LACs) were experimentally measured. So, the transmission factor (TF), the half-value layer (HVL), the tenth value layer (TVL), the mean free path (MFP), and the radiation protection efficiency (RPE) were calculated for all prepared samples. It was observed that the increase of the concentration of calcium oxide in the proposed borate-based glass samples leads to improve their performance in shielding against radiation. At low energy, the RPE of the samples is almost 100%. However, it was observed that as energy of the radiation source increases, the shielding performance of the samples will decrease. High energy dependence was found when calculating TF, HVL, TVL, and MFP. They were increased with the increase of the energy of the incident photons. At 0.662 MeV, the TF values are equal to 79.26, 79.00, 79.72, and 78.43% for BNABC-1, BNABC-2, BNABC-3, and BNABC-4 in the same oder, respectively. The application of the proposed composition of borate-based glass as a transparent shield against low-energy ionizing radiation was highlighted.

In an attempt to reutilize marble waste, a new approach is presented in the current study to promote its use in the field of shielding against ionizing radiation. In this study, we aimed to develop a novel and sustainable/eco-friendly lead-free radiation shielding material by improving artificial marble (AM) produced from marble waste combined with polyester by reinforcing it with bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) nanoparticles. Six samples of AM samples doped with different concentrations ($0\%$,$5\%$,$10\%$,$15\%$, $20\%$, and $25\%$) of Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles were prepared. The linear attenuation coefficient ($LAC$) values were measured experimentally through the narrow beam method at different energies $(0.0595 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$, $0.6617 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$, $1.1730 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$, and $1.330 \mathrm{M}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}$) for all samples with various concentrations of Bi₂O₃. Radiological shielding parameters such as half value layer ($HVL$), tenth-value layer ($TVL$), and radiation shielding efficiency ($RSE$) were estimated and compared for all the different samples. The results prove that increasing the concentration of Bi₂O₃ leads to the enhancement of the radiation shielding properties of the AM as a shielding material. It was observed that as the energy increases, the efficiency of the samples falls. High energy dependence was found when calculating the $HVL$ and $TVL$ values of the samples, which increased with increases in the energy of the incident photons. A comparison between the sample with the most efficient gamma radiation attenuation capability (AM-$25\%$), concrete, and lead was conducted, and a discussion regarding their radiation shielding properties is presented herein. The results show that the AM-$25\%$ sample is superior to the ordinary concrete over all the studied energy ranges, as evidenced by its significantly lower $HVLs$. On the contrary, lead is superior to the AM-$25\%$ sample over all the studied energy ranges owing to its unbeatable density as a shielding material. Overall, this new type of artificial marble has the potential to be used as a radiation shielding material at low- to medium-gamma energy regions, specifically in medical imaging and radiation therapy.

Heavy metals are major environmental pollutants due to their carcinogenic and toxic properties. This study investigates the levels of heavy metals different heavy metals in deposited dust and total suspended particles (TSP) in Assiut City and evaluates their potential health risks. The TSP and deposited dust samples were collected from six sites chosen based on their anthropogenic activities. The levels of the heavy metals in the collected samples were determined by an Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer. During the seasons of the year, the average TSP concentrations in the most polluted location reached 1605 µg/m³, exceeding the air quality limits (230 µg/m³). Also, the most polluted locations went beyond the threshold value limit (TVL = 18 g/m².month) in deposited dust rates. The average concentrations of heavy metals at selected sites ranged from 0.006 to 0.826 µg/m³ in TSP, and ranged from 6.302 to 64.65 µg/g in settled dust. These values were greater than those reported in comparable investigations conducted in other countries. By conducting a preliminary health risk assessment to the chronic exposure of the reported heavy metals concentrations, it was percussive that 20,000 cases per million are expected to get cancer because of the high-risk value of Chromium in the study area. The high Hazard Quotient values (ranging from 4 to 8) in this study suggest multi-organ toxicity, particularly to the nervous, reproductive, and respiratory systems. As a result, air quality management and the implementation of targeted policies within a risk management plan are necessary to lower the concentration of various heavy metals in the environment of this society.