Assessment of indoor and outdoor radiation levels and human health risk in Sheda Science and Technology Complex and its environ, Abuja, Nigeria

I.U James,E.C Akueche,I.F Moses,R.D Kuwen

doi:10.4314/jasem.v24i1.2

Abstract

A study to assess the Indoor and Outdoor Background Ionizing Radiation (BIR) of Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja has been conducted. An in-situ measurement using a portable factory calibrated radiation dose rate meter, Radiagem 2000, was used to ascertain the radiation level. The measured radiation dose rates were used to evaluate the radiological health hazards and radiation effective doses to different body organs using well established radiological relations. The results shows that the total Dose Rate (indoor and outdoor), the Total Annual Equivalent Dose (indoor and outdoor), total Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (indoor and outdoor) and the total Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (indoor and outdoor) are 0.113±0.022 (μSv/h), 0.071±0.016 (μSv/h), 0.794±0.155 mSv/y, 0.0.124±0.074 mSv/y, 0.556±0.109 mSv/y, 0.087±0.020 mSv/y, 1.945±0.379, 0.304±0.104 respectively for the three zones. The dosage to organs received shows that the testes have the highest dose while the liver has the lowest dose (indoor and outdoor) for the three zones. Generally the study shows that the Annual Effective Dose Equivalents were within the permissible limits of 1 mSv/y for general public exposure recommended by the (ICRP). Also, the effective doses to different body organs are all below the recommended limits of 1 mSv/y. The calculated Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk values indicates that the chance of contacting cancer by workers and residents of the study area is not probable hence the study area could be said to be radiologically safe. Keywords: Ionizing Radiation, Equivalent Dose, Effective Dose, Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk

Highlights

We are all exposed to ionizing radiation from natural sources at all times
This paper presents the indoor and outdoor background gamma radiation level, the annual effective dose equivalent rate (AEDE) and the excess life time cancer risk (ELCR) for the occupationally exposed and non-occupationally exposed workers working and living within Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Sheda and the general public living around the complex
Equivalent Dose: The indoor and outdoor data obtained from the in situ measurement for the three zones within the study area were processed for mean value by adding up all the raw data obtained for each location and divided by the number of data taken to get the mean value for the location

Summary

Introduction

We are all exposed to ionizing radiation from natural sources at all times. Natural background radiation is inevitably present in our environment. A study of the background radiation in Akwanga, Nasarawa State showed that the annual mean equivalent doses for indoor and outdoor backgrounds are 1.29±0.13 and 0.31±0.14 mSv/y respectively (Sadiq and Agba, 2011).

Results

Conclusion