Abstract
Environmental radiation study forms a major aspect of radiation monitoring all over the world and Gamma radiation is the prime concern for radiation protection. Measurements of gamma radiation level were made using RADEYE PRD at selected Asbestos ceiling and non-asbestos (Gypsum) ceiling rooms in Block B and C of the Boys’ Hostels and New Faculty of Art Building respectively. Annual dose rate from each selected location was then estimated and the results show that gamma radiations from rooms with asbestos ceilings are generally higher than those from rooms with non-asbestos ceilings. The higher radiation around the asbestos ceiling is attributed to likely presence of primordial radionuclides of elements like 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in the soil where the asbestos was mined. The highest annual effective dose rate due to gamma radiation in rooms with asbestos ceilings is estimated to be 0.91 mSv per year. This is considered to be very low and insignificant to cause any serious radiological problem to the students living in the Hostel. However, the only possible health risks from asbestos ceilings rooms might be due to the toxicity of the chemical constituents of asbestos rather than radiological risks from natural gamma radiation. The outcome of this research can be used in the compilation of background radiation map and radioelement mapping of Maiduguri which will be an integral part of the national background radiation and radioelement mapping of Nigeria. Keywords: gamma, radiation, carcinogenic, asbestos, radionuclides DOI : 10.7176/APTA/75-02
Highlights
The composition of the earth's crust is a major source of natural radiation
The instrument was calibrated at the National Institute of Radiation Protection and Research, a standard Institute certified by International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and a division of the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA)
Exposure of persons due to the presence of asbestos and non-asbestos ceiling was assessed and giving that exposure was uniformly distributed throughout the year based on 24 hours a day and 365days in a year
Summary
The composition of the earth's crust is a major source of natural radiation. The main contributors are natural deposits of uranium, potassium and thorium which. These elements, in the process of natural decay, will release small amounts of ionizing radiation. Uranium and thorium are found essentially in soil and rocks in most parts of the world. Norbani et al, (2014) noted that naturally occurring radionuclides of Uranium, Thorium and Potassium are the main sources of radiation in soils and rocks from which traditional building materials are derived. Since most building materials are extracted from the Earth, they too are mildly radioactive, and people are irradiated indoors as well as outdoors
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