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Outdoor background gamma radiation levels in rural environments of Enugu east, Nigeria


F.O. Ugbede
C.E. Mokobia

Abstract

The human populace is constantly irradiated both in the indoor and outdoor environment, as such, estimating the doses of radiation circulating in the environment is key in examining the health exposure to the populace. In this regard, in-situ measurements of outdoor radiation exposure rates in five rural communities of Enugu East local government area of Enugu State, Nigeria were made in this present study using a portable factory calibrated GQ GMC-320 PLUS radiation survey meter held at 1.0 m above ground level alongside a GPS for geographical location. The exposure rates in mRh-1 were converted to radiation hazard indices using well established relations. The results revealed that the mean background radiation exposure levels for Akpoga, Nchetanche, Obinagu and Onuogba are generally lower than ICRP reference level of 0.013 mRhr-1 for outdoor environments while that of Nkwubor exceeded the limit by 7.7%. The radiation absorbed dose, equivalent dose, annual effective dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risks were calculated. The purpose is to assess the radiological risk due to radiation exposure in the communities. The terrestrial gamma radiation levels at some locations in the communities are somewhat low and high. The radiation dose values are generally below the values considered to cause immediate harmful effects and thus do not pose any immediate health hazards to the residents at this present moment. However, continuous exposure and accumulation of low radiation doses may pose radiological health risks to the people living in the areas in future.


Keywords: Background radiation; dose levels; health effect; rural communities


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 1118-1931
print ISSN: 1118-1931