PH RESEARCHERS DISCOVER VOLCANIC ASH AS EFFECTIVE RADIATION SHIELD
RESEARCHERS from Ateneo de Manila University and National University Mall of Asia Campus have discovered that volcanic ash can serve as an effective and sustainable radiation shield.
Radiation shielding is essential in hospitals, industrial sites, and nuclear facilities, but conventional materials like concrete and lead are costly and environmentally hazardous.
The study suggests that volcanic ash-based construction materials could offer a lightweight and sustainable alternative.
Following the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption, large amounts of ash covered Luzon, creating disposal challenges. Researchers Floyd Rey P. Plando, Myris V. Supnad, and Joel T. Maquiling explored its potential use in construction and found that Taal volcanic ash-based geopolymer mortar contains iron-rich minerals that enhance radiation-blocking properties.
“Iron has greater interaction power because it contains more electrons. Additionally, it is a dense metal with a heavy and tightly packed structure. High-electron and denser materials, such as TVA, are more effective in blocking hazardous X-rays and gamma rays,” Plando explained.
The team also discovered that the optimal combination of volcanic ash and aggregates improves radiation attenuation due to the disorder in granular matter microstructures. This makes TVA-based materials highly effective in shielding against harmful radiation.
With the Philippines’ abundance of volcanic materials, this discovery presents an opportunity to repurpose disaster waste while improving radiation safety in critical industries.
Further research is needed to refine the material’s durability and optimize its shielding performance, but this breakthrough demonstrates how natural calamities can lead to transformative, life-saving innovations.