Assessment of Background Ionization Radiation (BIR) of Rumuagholu Town in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The assessment of Background Ionization Radiation [BIR] of Rumuagholu Town in Port Harcourt, River State was carried out using an in-situ approach. A well calibrated meter (radalert Tm 100) atomic radiation checking meter containing a Geiger Muller tube capable of detecting alpha, beta, gamma and X-rays within the temperature range of 100c and 500c. The work covered a total location of forty (40) points. At every location, two exposure rates were measured and averaged to one. The results obtained showed that the Average Exposure Rate measured, ranged from 0.0105 – 0.018mR/h with a mean value of 0.01363mR/h. The equivalent dose computed ranged from 0.8832 – 1.514mSvy-1 with a mean value of 1.1214mSvy-1. Again, absorbed dose ranged from 91.35 – 156.6 nGyh-1, with the mean value of 121-56nGyh-1. The annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) ranged from 0.112 – 0.192 with a mean value of 0.1490mSvy-1. The excess life time cancer Risk (ELCR) ranged from 0.3908 – 0.6700 with a mean value of 0.504 x 10-3. All the results showed higher values against the World Accepted values and so Rumuagholu Town is Radiologically enhanced. Therefore, it is advisable for Nigeria nuclear regulatory Agency to educate the residents on the dangers of ionizing radiation. Similarly, residents should be advised to be on routine medical check- up to ascertain the level of their radiation exposure.