Survey of Radiological Parameters at a Dumpsite Near an Oil and Gas Facility in Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The issue of proper waste management is becoming more critical with the increase of civilization and urbanization. Waste generation and disposal could increase levels of human radiation exposure. The dose rates from possible radioactive materials at Gbaraun-toru dumpsite have been investigated. Radiation survey meter was used to assess the dose rates at the site. Model equations were also used to estimate the health-related radiological parameters for the flux of scavengers and individuals using the dump site. The values of the measured dose rates at the dumpsites lie between (0.01 – 0.016) mRh-1 with a mean of 0.013 mRh-1. Absorbed dose rates and equivalent dose rates estimated ranged from (87.4 – 139.4) with a mean of 116.2 and (0876 – 1.402) with a mean of 1.113 . Annual effective dose rates, organ doses, and the excessive lifetime risk of cancer ranged from (0.357– 0.572) with mean 0.454 mSvy-1, (0.139 – 0.248) and (0.94 – 1.54) × 10-6 with mean of 1.28 × 10-6 respectively. Conclusively, the estimated absorbed measured rates for the study are above the safe limit (54 nGyh-1), while, others are within the safe limit (1 mSvh-1). This suggests that there may be an increment in the level of exposure of the workers at the dump sites, hence, regular radiological studies should be carried out in the study area