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MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Researchers at Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City and National University—Mall of Asia Campus in Pasay City have discovered how to use Taal volcanic ash in radiation shielding.
In 2020, Floyd Rey P. Plando, Myris V. Supnad and Joel T. Maquiling investigated how to use the pyroclastic material from Taal’s eruption.
They found out that Taal volcanic ash (TVA) has high concentrations of iron-rich minerals that can block radiation.
“Iron has greater interaction power because it contains more electrons,” Plando said.
“In addition, it is a dense metal due to its heavy and tightly packed structure. High-electron and denser material such as TVA has stronger efficiency in blocking hazardous X-rays and gamma rays,” he explained.
“Moreover, the optimal blend of volcanic ash and aggregates results in effective photon (radiation) attenuation because of the resulting disorder (entropy) in granular matter microstructures,” he pointed out.
Their discovery is considered a win-win for industrial and environmental purposes.
First, radiation shielding is essential for hospitals, industrial sites and nuclear facilities.
Concrete and lead provide this protection, but these materials can be expensive and harmful to the environment.
Second, volcanic ash harms local flora and fauna and releases greenhouse gases.
Repurposing volcanic ash into radiation shielding reduces costs for various applications while cleaning the environment.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Teresito Bacolcol commended the discovery.
“If it proves to be viable, it can turn waste and hazardous material from Taal Volcano into something useful,” he told the Philippine News Agency.