Open AccessBackground Radiation from 238U, 232Th, and 40K in Bells Area and Canaan City, Ota, Nigeria
Author(s) -
M.R. Usikalu,
Charity Adaeze Enemuwe,
Ruth Omoseeke Morakinyo,
Muyiwa Michael Orosun,
T. A. Adagunodo,
J. A. Achuka
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
open access macedonian journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.288
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 1857-9655
DOI - 10.3889/oamjms.2020.5434
Subject(s) - radionuclide , gamma ray spectrometer , medicine , nuclear medicine , background radiation , natural radioactivity , radium , zoology , radiation exposure , confidence interval , absorbed dose , effective dose (radiation) , environmental science , toxicology , radiation , radiochemistry , gamma ray , dosimetry , physics , nuclear physics , chemistry , biology
Natural radionuclides are present in every constituent of the environment. Monitoring of environmental radionuclides is very vital to avoid exposure above the threshold limit. Due to this, the background radiation from 238U, 232Th, and 40K of Bell University of Technology and Canaan Land City was determined from 20 sample points each in the two areas using RS230 Gamma Spectrometer. The mean activity concentration of 40K, 238U, and 232Th for Bells University of Technology was 442.66 Bq/kg, 41.98 Bq/kg, and 48.35 Bq/Kg, respectively. In Canaan City, mean activity concentration of 40K, 238U, and 232Th was 373.65 Bq/kg, 18.85 Bq/kg, and 67.22 Bq/kg, respectively. The mean absorbed dose rates recorded by the spectrometer directly were 70.03 nGy/h and 66.65 nGy/h, while that estimated from the activity concentration were 67.06 and 64.89 nGy/h for Bells University and Canaan City, respectively. The measured and estimated absorbed dose rates were higher than the safe limit of 57 nGy/h. The mean values of other radiological parameters estimated, except that of the gamma index and excess lifetime cancer risk were lower when compared to the recommended limit. It could be concluded that the possibility of suffering any radiation risk is low in these two areas, but there is possibility of cancer risk for someone that has stayed in the area for 70 years and above.