Anekwe, UL, Nwii, AA
Keywords: Absorbed dose, baseline data, health effect, radalert-200, risk assessment.
Abstract: Knowledge of environmental radiation status is very necessary in quantifying health risks. In this regard, the objective of this study was to obtain in-situ measurement of background ionizing radiation (BIR) level of Elebele community in Bayelsa State. This was carried out using a well calibrated radiation meter, Radalert-200. The results of BIR obtained in the four zones ranged from 0.009 to 0.035 mRh-1 with a mean value of 0.022 mRh-1>0.013m Rh-1. The mean value of BIR was used to compute hazard indices; absorbed dose (AD), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) and their means. Computed values of absorbed dose ranged from 104-743.5 nGyh-1with a mean of 462.01nGyh-1>84.0 nGyh-1. Mean values of annual effective dose equivalents were 0.39, 0.611, 0.39 and 0.53 mSvy-1 < 1 mSvy-1. Also the mean values of excess lifetime cancer risk were 1.01x10-3, 1.19x10-3 1.04x10-3 and 1.08x10-3>0.29x10-3. These results exceeded the permissible limits therefore further study using gamma spectrometry is required on the soil and water samples of the area though the elevations may be attributed to the oil and gas exploitation activities within the area.
[View Complete Article]