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Assessment of Radiological Hazard Indices from Exposures to Background Ionizing Radiation Measurements in South-South Nigeria

Received: 5 August 2019     Accepted: 22 August 2019     Published: 5 September 2019
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Abstract

Radioactivity in the environment from sources of natural and human activities resulting in planned, emergency and existing exposure to human population, environment and other biota has led to growing apprehensions in Nigeria and the world. The existing exposure situations mainly from natural radionuclides, present in the earth crust from creation emits background ionizing radiation leading to gamma dose exposures. The objective of this study was to assess the background ionizing radiation and associated radiological hazard indices in Itu, Nigeria located at 5010’0” N 7059’0” E, and establish an eco-radiological baseline data prior to the construction of any nuclear fission reaction facility in the area. A systematic random method of measurement was employed within demarcated monitoring zones of entire geological map of Itu, Nigeria. The global positioning system finder (GARMIN Etrex 10) was used for data point location, while RDS-31S/R Multi-purpose survey meter was used for dose rate measurement. The background ionizing radiation measurement obtained ranged from 0.041 ± 0.002 - 0.045 ± 0.002 µSv/hr with overall mean of 0.042 ± 002 µSv/hr, which was lower than the world mean of 0.2 µSv/hr. Radiological hazard indices arising from the background ionizing radiation measurement were also evaluated. The mean estimated Gamma Dose Rate was 9.312 nGy/hr, the terrestrial outdoor Annual Effective Dose Rate arising from gamma was 6.83 mSv/yr, that of indoor was 21.85 mSv/yr and Excess Life Cancer Risk was 0.05 × 10-3. The mean evaluated radiological hazard indices were found to be below admissible limits, and thus poses no significant radiological health threat to the populace. Therefore, the assessment demonstrates that there is no elevated level of dose rate, which is makes it safe for human habitation, but care should be taken to avoid increase radiation level from human activities. It is recommended that constant radiological monitoring be encourage, and the data considered as radiological baseline in Itu, Nigeria.

Published in International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis (Volume 7, Issue 2)
DOI 10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11
Page(s) 40-47
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2019. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Background Ionizing Radiation, Dose Rate, Hazard Indices, Radionuclides Concentration, Nigeria

References
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  • APA Style

    Godwin Ekong, Timothy Akpa, Ibrahim Umaru, Williams Lumbi, Mbet Akpanowo, et al. (2019). Assessment of Radiological Hazard Indices from Exposures to Background Ionizing Radiation Measurements in South-South Nigeria. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 7(2), 40-47. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11

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    ACS Style

    Godwin Ekong; Timothy Akpa; Ibrahim Umaru; Williams Lumbi; Mbet Akpanowo, et al. Assessment of Radiological Hazard Indices from Exposures to Background Ionizing Radiation Measurements in South-South Nigeria. Int. J. Environ. Monit. Anal. 2019, 7(2), 40-47. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11

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    AMA Style

    Godwin Ekong, Timothy Akpa, Ibrahim Umaru, Williams Lumbi, Mbet Akpanowo, et al. Assessment of Radiological Hazard Indices from Exposures to Background Ionizing Radiation Measurements in South-South Nigeria. Int J Environ Monit Anal. 2019;7(2):40-47. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11,
      author = {Godwin Ekong and Timothy Akpa and Ibrahim Umaru and Williams Lumbi and Mbet Akpanowo and Nsikak Benson},
      title = {Assessment of Radiological Hazard Indices from Exposures to Background Ionizing Radiation Measurements in South-South Nigeria},
      journal = {International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis},
      volume = {7},
      number = {2},
      pages = {40-47},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijema.20190702.11},
      abstract = {Radioactivity in the environment from sources of natural and human activities resulting in planned, emergency and existing exposure to human population, environment and other biota has led to growing apprehensions in Nigeria and the world. The existing exposure situations mainly from natural radionuclides, present in the earth crust from creation emits background ionizing radiation leading to gamma dose exposures. The objective of this study was to assess the background ionizing radiation and associated radiological hazard indices in Itu, Nigeria located at 5010’0” N 7059’0” E, and establish an eco-radiological baseline data prior to the construction of any nuclear fission reaction facility in the area. A systematic random method of measurement was employed within demarcated monitoring zones of entire geological map of Itu, Nigeria. The global positioning system finder (GARMIN Etrex 10) was used for data point location, while RDS-31S/R Multi-purpose survey meter was used for dose rate measurement. The background ionizing radiation measurement obtained ranged from 0.041 ± 0.002 - 0.045 ± 0.002 µSv/hr with overall mean of 0.042 ± 002 µSv/hr, which was lower than the world mean of 0.2 µSv/hr. Radiological hazard indices arising from the background ionizing radiation measurement were also evaluated. The mean estimated Gamma Dose Rate was 9.312 nGy/hr, the terrestrial outdoor Annual Effective Dose Rate arising from gamma was 6.83 mSv/yr, that of indoor was 21.85 mSv/yr and Excess Life Cancer Risk was 0.05 × 10-3. The mean evaluated radiological hazard indices were found to be below admissible limits, and thus poses no significant radiological health threat to the populace. Therefore, the assessment demonstrates that there is no elevated level of dose rate, which is makes it safe for human habitation, but care should be taken to avoid increase radiation level from human activities. It is recommended that constant radiological monitoring be encourage, and the data considered as radiological baseline in Itu, Nigeria.},
     year = {2019}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Assessment of Radiological Hazard Indices from Exposures to Background Ionizing Radiation Measurements in South-South Nigeria
    AU  - Godwin Ekong
    AU  - Timothy Akpa
    AU  - Ibrahim Umaru
    AU  - Williams Lumbi
    AU  - Mbet Akpanowo
    AU  - Nsikak Benson
    Y1  - 2019/09/05
    PY  - 2019
    N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11
    DO  - 10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11
    T2  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
    JF  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
    JO  - International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis
    SP  - 40
    EP  - 47
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2328-7667
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijema.20190702.11
    AB  - Radioactivity in the environment from sources of natural and human activities resulting in planned, emergency and existing exposure to human population, environment and other biota has led to growing apprehensions in Nigeria and the world. The existing exposure situations mainly from natural radionuclides, present in the earth crust from creation emits background ionizing radiation leading to gamma dose exposures. The objective of this study was to assess the background ionizing radiation and associated radiological hazard indices in Itu, Nigeria located at 5010’0” N 7059’0” E, and establish an eco-radiological baseline data prior to the construction of any nuclear fission reaction facility in the area. A systematic random method of measurement was employed within demarcated monitoring zones of entire geological map of Itu, Nigeria. The global positioning system finder (GARMIN Etrex 10) was used for data point location, while RDS-31S/R Multi-purpose survey meter was used for dose rate measurement. The background ionizing radiation measurement obtained ranged from 0.041 ± 0.002 - 0.045 ± 0.002 µSv/hr with overall mean of 0.042 ± 002 µSv/hr, which was lower than the world mean of 0.2 µSv/hr. Radiological hazard indices arising from the background ionizing radiation measurement were also evaluated. The mean estimated Gamma Dose Rate was 9.312 nGy/hr, the terrestrial outdoor Annual Effective Dose Rate arising from gamma was 6.83 mSv/yr, that of indoor was 21.85 mSv/yr and Excess Life Cancer Risk was 0.05 × 10-3. The mean evaluated radiological hazard indices were found to be below admissible limits, and thus poses no significant radiological health threat to the populace. Therefore, the assessment demonstrates that there is no elevated level of dose rate, which is makes it safe for human habitation, but care should be taken to avoid increase radiation level from human activities. It is recommended that constant radiological monitoring be encourage, and the data considered as radiological baseline in Itu, Nigeria.
    VL  - 7
    IS  - 2
    ER  - 

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Author Information
  • Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Abuja, Nigeria

  • Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Abuja, Nigeria

  • Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

  • Department of Physics, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria

  • Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, Abuja, Nigeria

  • Department of Chemistry, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

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