Measurement of Background Ionizing Radiation Around Beta Glass Plc and Its Environs, Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of the background ionizing radiation levels to helps monitor the impact of human activities on the environment, such as mining, farming, glass bottle production and power generation has been carried out around Beta glass Plc and Transcorp Power LTD using a hand-held gamma spectrometer (GAMMA-SCOUT; Geiger counter Radiation meter) and GPS (Oregon-450 Garmin). The study of the BIR levels was carried out between June to July, 2022. The average measured exposure rates (AV. BIR) ranged from 0.007 mRh-1 to 0.013 mRh-1, with 0.010±0.0002 mRh-1 as the average. The estimated mean outdoor absorbed dose rate (ADR) for the study region was 113.10 Gyh-1 to 87.153±2.091 Gyh-1, with an average annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) of 106.884±2.565 mSvy-1 and an average excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) of (0.374±0.009) × 10-3. The measured values of radiological parameters, such as annual dose rate, annual effective dose rate, and excess lifetime cancer, were higher than background radiation levels. The average BIR is in line with the ICRP recommendation of 0.013 (mRh-1), while the effective dose rate (EDR) is somewhat below the ICRP recommendation of 1.00 (mSvy-1) for a normal environment. The obtained values of the radiological indicators, such as ADR, AEDE, and ELCR, are greater than the background radiation norm of 59 (?Gyh-1), 0. 07 (mSvy-1), and 0.29×10-3. The study found that radiation levels and doses in the study location do not immediately harm personnel or residents, but increased lifetime cancer risk values suggest that cumulative dosages may cause cancer.