Speaker
Description
ASSESSMENT OF BACKGROUND IONIZING RADIATION IN SELECTED DUMPSITE IN CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE, NIGERIA.
Abstract
Rapid urbanization in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria has led to the increase in the volume of waste generation. This study investigates background ionizing radiation levels in dumpsite environments within Calabar, Nigeria, utilizing gamma spectrometry and soil analysis techniques. An in-situ measurement approach was adopted using a chamber radiation survey metre (model 451P ion) to measure the background ionizing radiation level and a Geographical positioning system (G.P.S). The radiation values at each point at 10 metres distances as we move from one point of the dumpsite and was recorded accordingly. From this research it was discovered that the highest average level was 3.50 ±0.08 µSv/h at the Asi Ukpo dumpsite and it's slightly higher than the approved exposure limit by International Commission for Radiation Protection (ICRP) which is 1 mSv/h. A slight increase in the level of radionuclide: radium 226, thorium 232 and potassium 40 in the soil sample and water sample. However, from the result obtained there's a percentage of risk to the people living around these dumpsites which might suffice later if the exposure is not reduced or stopped.
