Assessment of Background Gamma Radiation Levels Across Major Markets in Southern Senatoria District of Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Human exposure to ionizing radiation from natural and artificial sources is unpreventable phenomenon on earth. Radiation profile and dose at for some markets in Cross River State, Nigeria have been ascertained using 451p ion chamber survey meter and the following indices of radiation absorb dose, annual effective dose equivalent, and excess life cancer risk, were calculated. the dose rate measures at the seven market are as follows; Biase 0.02\(\mu\)sv/h to 0.09\(\mu\)sv/h, Akamkpa 0.02\(\mu\)sv/h to 0.09\(\mu\)sv/h, Odukpani 0.02\(\mu\)sv/h to 0.09\(\mu\)sv/h marian market 0.06\(\mu\)sv/h to 0.19\(\mu\)sv/h, Calabar South, 0.05\(\mu\)sv/h to 0.30\(\mu\)sv/h, Akpabuyo 0.02\(\mu\)sv/h to 0.19\(\mu\)sv/h, Bakassi 0.02\(\mu\)sv/h to 0.16\(\mu\)sv/h. The mean value for dose is mean 0.047 \(\pm\) 0.018 for Biase, 0.043 \(\pm\) 0.018 for Akamkpa, 0.043 \(\pm\) 0.017 for Odukpani, 0.110 \(\pm\) 0.036 for Marian, 0.106 \(\pm\) 0.059 sv/h for Calabar South, 0.104 \(\pm\) 0.056 sv/h for Akpabuyo and 0.053 \(\pm\) 0.031 sv/h for Bakassi. Mean values of 0.073 \(\pm\) 0.026msvy-1, 0.067 \(\pm\)  0.029msv/y, 0.095 \(\pm\) 0.08msv/y, 0.158 \(\pm\) 0.072msv/y, 0.134 \(\pm\) 0.114msv/y, 0.159 \(\pm\) 0.084msv/y and 0.223 \(\pm\) 0.654 for AEDE were observed respectively for within the markets. Similarly, 0.259 \(\pm\) 0.092 x 10-3, 0.235 \(\pm\) 0.095 x 10-3, 0.338 \(\pm\) 0.265 x 10-3, 0.552  0.252 x 10-3, 0.470 \(\pm\) 0.397 x 10-3, 0.558  0.29 x 10-3, and 0.265 \(\pm\) 0.097 x 10-3 were recorded for ELCR, with the marketer the AEDE values are with the permissible limit as recommended by the international bodies, the ELCR values are also within permissible limit. The implication of the AEDE & ELCR values is that the markets sides is radiation safe for any radiological health burdens that might arise due to absorb dose from BIR, but the probability of are developing cancer over a life time exposure in market places is high. It’s recommended that periodic BIR monitory and evaluation and radioactive concentration of nuclides in soil and rocks of the area be carried out by local authority.