Estimation of Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) from Naturally Occuring Radioactive Materials in Mill Tailing Samples of Maiganga Mining Site, Gombe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: Mining activities have shown to give rise to so much waste (tailings) which may have poisonous elements and lethal to man and the entire ecosystem. Consequently, it affects his health negatively during and after production. This study estimated the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) due to naturally occurring radioactive materials in mill tailing samples of Maiganga mining site, North-Eastern Nigeria. Study Design: This study was designed to assess the presence of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) and to estimate the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) in mill tailing samples of Maiganga mining site. Place and Duration of Study: Maiganga mining site, North-Eastern Nigeria between November 2024 and October 2025 Methodology: A total of ten (10) samples were systematically collected within the mine sites. Using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectroscopic technique, the activity concentrations of some selected radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) were determined. Results: The findings revealed that, the activity concentrations of 40K range from 182 .79 Bqkg-1 to 389.37 Bqkg-1 with 218 Bqkg-1 as the mean value while 226Ra and 232Th were below the limit of detection. The analysis of radiation risk parameters (Radium equivalent, absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent, annual gonadal dose equivalent, external and internal hazard indices and excess lifetime cancer risk) were found to be: 141.86 Bqkg-1, 65.86 nGyh-1, 0.08mSvy-1, 446.55 µSvy-1, 0.38, 0.52 and  respectively. Conclusion: The study concludes that Maiganga mining site is radiologically safe for both workers and the general public. Finally, the study recommends continuous radiological screening of the mining site to keep the potential radiation hazards as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).