Evaluation of Background Ionization Radiation Level in Some Selected Dumpsites in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This paper reports on the evaluation of background Ionization radiation level (BIR) in some selected Dumpsites in Uvwie, Udu and Ughelli North Local government area of Delta State, Nigeria. Background ionization radiation measurements were carried out in five Dumpsites. An in- situ measurement was done using a well calibrated nuclear radiation meters Radalert-100 and a geographical positioning system (GPS). Readings were taken once in a week for one month in ten different locations within each of the Dumpsites. The mean background Ionization radiation values in all the five Dumpsites ranges from 0.017±0.006mR/hr to 0.018±0.007mR/h. All the background ionization radiation level obtained values exceeded the normal world average BIR level of 0.013mR/h. The mean Absorbed Dose Rate values range from 1.430mSv/y to 1.541mSv/y. The results showed that all the dumpsites yearly absorbed dose rate exceeded the 1.0mSv/y maximum permissible limit recommend for the public and non-nuclear industrial environment by International Council on Radiological Protection (ICRP, 1999). This research work indicated that the Dumpsites environment may have been impacted radiologically. This will pose some long-term health side effects on the workers and residents.

Keywords: Evaluation, Ionization, Radiation, Dose, dumpsites.