Radiological Impact of Oil Spilled Environment: a Case Study of the Eriemu well 13 and 19 Oil Spillage in Ughelli Region of Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

A six years of radiation impact assessment in an oil spillage environment and the host communities in Ughelli region of delta state have been conducted, using a digilert nuclear radiation monitor meter and a geographical positioning system (GPS). Measurements were made in 20 sites, 6 host communities and a control sample spread across the affected area. Measured average location values ranged between 0.010 mRh -1 (0.532 mSv y -1 ) to 0.019 mRh -1 (1.010 mSv y -1 ). The yearly exposure rate ranged between 0.013±0.006 mRh -1 (0.692±0.080 mSvy -1 ) to 0.016±0.005 mRh -1 (0.851±0.100 mSv y -1 ) in the oil spillage area. The host communities' values ranged between 0.011 mRh -1 (0.585 mSv y -1 ) to 0.015 mRh -1 (0.798 mSv y -1 ) with an average value of 0.010 mRh -1 (0.532 mSv y -1 ) recorded at the control sample. The radiation levels within these oil spillage areas and the host communities were of 55% and 33.3% respectively above the normal background level of 0.013 mRh -1 . The average equivalent dose rate obtained was higher than the 0.478 ηSv/y normal background level but was within the safe limit of 0.05 Sv y -1 recommended by ICRP and NCRP. These values obtained will not pose any immediate radiological health hazard to the host communities and workers within this environment.