Gwyneth Perseveranda

Researchers from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and National University-Mall of Asia Campus (NU-MOA) have discovered a way to repurpose the volcanic ash from the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption: it can be used as a radiation shield.


The eruption blanketed large areas of Luzon with ash, posing serious health risks and disposal challenges. 

Instead of treating this pyroclastic material as waste, researchers Floyd Rey Plando, Myris Supnad, and Joel Maquiling explored its potential use in construction applications.

Their study utilized volcanic ash collected during the eruption to create a geopolymer mortar, a type of construction material that relies on inorganic polymers. 

These polymers form through a chemical reaction between aluminosilicate materials—such as fly ash or metakaolin—and an alkaline activator.

The researchers discovered that geopolymer mortars made from Taal volcanic ash (TVA) effectively absorb and block radiation, reducing its intensity. The iron-rich minerals found in TVA contribute significantly to this shielding ability.

"Iron has greater interaction power because it contains more electrons," Plando said.

"In addition, it is a dense metal with a tightly packed structure. Materials with high electron density, like TVA, are more efficient in blocking hazardous X-rays and gamma rays," he said.

"Moreover, the optimal blend of volcanic ash and aggregates enhances photon (radiation) attenuation due to the increased disorder (entropy) in the granular microstructures," Maquiling said.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), ionizing radiation is energy released by atoms in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles. 

While it has beneficial applications in medicine, industry, agriculture, and research; prolonged exposure can cause severe health effects, including skin and blood damage, cataracts, infertility, birth defects, and cancer.

To mitigate these risks, the researchers proposed using geopolymer mortar for radiation shielding.

"Radiation shielding is essential for hospitals, industrial sites, and nuclear facilities. These places use ionizing radiation for critical applications—such as diagnosing medical conditions, inspecting structural integrity, and sterilizing food for longer shelf life. 

However, prolonged exposure to radiation can be harmful, making effective shielding necessary," ADMU’s research communications section said in a press release on February 4.

Meanwhile, Ateneo emphasized the need for further studies to refine the material’s durability and improve its shielding performance.