EVALUATION OF BACKGROUND IONIZING RADIATION LEVEL IN NASARAWA TOWN, NASARAWA STATE

EVALUATION OF BACKGROUND IONIZING RADIATION LEVEL IN NASARAWA TOWN, NASARAWA STATE

ABSTRACT

The Evaluation Of Background Ionizing Radiation Level in Nasarawa was carried out. A portable radiation alert meter (Br-6type Geiger Muller counter nuclear radiation detector) with serial number GB 1871-2002 by Kaishen ® was used for the measurement. A total of sixty (60) location was surveyed across the town. The study shows that  Bakin Kogi has the highest measurement of 0.25 ± 0.06 mSv/yr, followed by Emir palace 0.22±0.10 mSv/yr and St. Kizito has the lowest measurement of 0.11± 0.07 mSv/yr. These measurements are still below 1.0 mSv/yr recommended value by international commission on radiological protection (ICRP) for general public and Non-radionuclide industrial workers. Therefore, Nasarawa is not threaten by background ionizing radiation for now. It is recommended that, periodic monitoring should be encouraged to carrying out in case if there is sudden increase in background ionizing radiation. `

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the study

Radiation has been found to be Beneficial on one hand and harmful on the other hand. Some of the harmful effects are: Cancer, Cataract of eye lens, gene mutation. It can as well cause the death of an individual (Sigalo and Brigg, 2010).

Man is continuously exposed to various types of ionizing radiation emitted from natural occurring radioactive materials, cosmic rays (NORM). This is commonly known as background radiation. The origin of these radioactive is the earth crust, but they find their way into soil, building material, air, water and human body itself.

The earth is naturally radioactive, and about 80% of human radiation exposure arises from natural sources such as cosmic radiation, exposure to radon gas and terrestrial radionuclide (Lee et al., 2004).

The used of radiation is accompanied with some health hazard unless such uses are regulated such that exposure is kept within acceptable limit as low as reasonably possible ALARA principle (Norms, 2008).

This environmental background radiation varies in intensity and quality from place to place and from time to time (Ndiriza et al., 2008).

Background ionizing radiation is also known as outdoor radiation, is the radiation of man natural environment consisting of what comes from cosmic rays, and the natural radioactivity of the earth and from within man body (Nwankwo and Akoshile 2005).

1.2       Statement of the Research Problem

It has been established that chronic exposure to a low dose rate of nuclear radiation from an irradiated building has the potential to induce cytogenetic damage to human beings (Chang et al., 1997). This induced cytogenetic damage which can cause leukemia, chromosomal breakage, bone necrosis, bone cancer, mutation of genes, cataract of the eye etc. (Agba et al., 2006). Risk of exposure to radiation from radioactive substance is some time ignored while great attention is paid on associated risk from only atomic and nuclear bomb and nuclear power plants. Man in his everyday life is immersed in dangerous radiation occurring naturally in the everyday human environment.  Small trace of many naturally occurring radioactive materials are present in the human body (Nwankwo and Akoshile, 2005).

1.3       Aim  

The aim of this research is to investigate the level of background ionizing radiation in Nasarawa.

1.4       Objectives

The objective of this research is as follow

1. To provide a reference data on background ionizing radiation level in Nasarawa.
2. To compare the result obtained with that of international Commission on radiation protection.
3. To find out whether or not the community is radiological free, safe and make recommendation regarding ionizing radiation protection if Necessary.

1.5       Scope and Limitation

This research work is limited to investigate the background ionizing radiation level, analyze and discuss the results related to the effects of radiation on matter (human) and how it can be reduce to the acceptable level in the locations where the research has being carryout.

1.6       Significance of the Study

This research work is intended to provide the following:

1. Reference data on the Radioactivity level in Nasarawa town will be documented.
2. Radiation risk in which the residents of this town are exposed will also be known.

CHAPTER TWO

LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1     Radiation

Radiation is the emission or transmission of energy in form of wave or particle through a space or a materials medium. It is also a particles emitted by radioactive substance that is energy in form of particle of substances such as uranium, thorium etc whose atom are not stable and are spontaneously decaying. The energy can be converted into peaceful (electrically) and harmfully used which can cause serious health problem to people who are exposed to it.

2.2       Types of Radiation

The ionizing potential of an atom ranges from a low electron volt (ev) for alkali elements to 24.5 ev for noble gasses. There are two types of radiation. These are; Ionizing radiation and non ionizing radiation.

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