Assessment of outdoor radiation levels and potential radiological health hazards in selected markets in Effurun and Warri cities

Abstract

A comprehensive study of the background ionising radiation (BIR) of some selected markets in Effurun and Warri cities was carried out, in view of ascertaining the possibility of traders, customers and the general public contracting potential radiological illnesses, using Digilert 200 Nuclear Radiation Monitor. The obtained market mean exposure rates value is 0.015 mRh-1 which exceeds the world exposure rates limit of 0.013 mRh-¹, and the computed mean of radiological health hazard associated with the obtained exposure rates values were 1.221 msvy-1 , 125.712 nGyh-1 , 0.154 msvy-1 and 0.541 for Equivalent Dose Rate, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk, respectively. These computed radiological health hazards slightly exceed the various world limits. This slight increase in both measured and computed values may be attributed to radiation released from food crops, spices, antiques, etc, that are being sold within the markets. The results show that traders, customers, and the general public may be exposed to radiation emitted by the market’s products. However, the traders, customers and the general public are radiologically safe as these values may not pose an immediate health challenge to them and the environment.