Abstract
The aim of this study is to estimate the activity concentrations and radiological assessment of soils around high-tension cables, Transmission company of Nigeria, Osogbo, Nigeria. Surface and control soils were obtained around the high-tension cables and from areas far away from the sampling points, respectively. Their radioactivity levels were determined using gamma ray spectrometer. The results showed that the mean activity of the identified radionuclides, <sup>40</sup>K, <sup>238</sup>U and <sup>232</sup>Th are 223.59±11.98, 15.39±1.95 and 4.54±0.28 Bq/kg respectively, in the studied soils while the control soils exhibited activity concentrations of <sup>40</sup>K, <sup>238</sup>U and <sup>232</sup>Th, as 6.22±0.34, 11.58±1.55 and 0.50±0.03 Bq/kg respectively. The radiological indices, ADR (absorbed dose rate), AED (annual effective dose equivalent), H<sub>in</sub> (internal hazard index), H<sub>ex</sub> (external hazard index), AGDE (annual gonadal dose equivalent), I<sub>γr</sub> (representative gamma index) and Ra<sub>eq</sub> (radium equivalent) have values of 19.65 nGy/hr, 0.17 mSv/yr, 0.14 Bq/kg, 0.10 Bq/kg, 140.77 µsvy<sup>-1</sup>, 0.30 and 39.64 respectively. These results revealed that the studied soils exhibited low gamma radiation. Long-term exposure to these radionuclides could pose health threats and is therefore discouraged.
Highlights
Since inception, man has always been exposed to radiation from naturally occurring radionuclides with long half-lives, such as 40K, 238U, and 232Th
Surface soil samples were collected from eight (8) different areas in and around Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Osogbo, Nigeria while the two control soil samples were taken from areas where there are little or no anthropogenic activities within the locality
There was consistency in the pattern observed for the radiological assessment of the soils
Summary
Man has always been exposed to radiation from naturally occurring radionuclides with long half-lives, such as 40K, 238U, and 232Th. As a result of their radioactivity, those radionuclides cause natural radiation [1]. As a result of their radioactivity, those radionuclides cause natural radiation [1] These radionuclides are termed primordial radionuclides such as uranium 238U, thorium 232Th, and non-decay series of potassium 40K [2]. Estimated exposure to natural radiation from naturally occurring radionuclides has become environmental concern to the public and national authorities due to its deleterious effect on humans. The levels of these doses have been observed to increase due to some certain anthropogenic activities thereby enhancing the natural background radiation
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