Mining and smelting activities are the main causes for the increasing pollution of heavy metals from water sources. The toxicity of these heavy metals from the mining, milling and smelting companies can cause harmful and even lethal effects on the human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the level of As, Cr, Zn, Mg, Fe, Pb, Cd, Cu, Ag and Mn in well and tap water and assess the degree of pollution in the study area. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry investigation was carried out on 60 samples of water (Well and Tap) collected within and outside the mining and smelting area of Ajaokuta to determine the extent of these heavy metals contamination in their drinking water. The data of heavy metal concentrations reveal that the area has been slightly contaminated with the heavy metals, with As and Cr having the highest level of contamination. Correlation analysis between the selected heavy metals was conducted to further investigate the relationship between the metals. The result shows that these selected metals have common pollution sources related to the mining and smelting activities in the area.
An environmental ionizing radiation survey around quarry sites in Ilorin was carried out using three Radalert Nuclear Radiation Monitors and Global Positioning System (GPS) in order to assess and provide up to date information on radiation levels in the environment. Measured mean radiation levels ranged from 1.11±0.05 to 1.72±0.03 mSv/yr with an average of 1.49±0.04 mSv/yr in the study area. The radiation levels have surpassed the standard level of 1 mSv/yr by 50%, but fall below the global average of 2.4 mSv/yr for the general public and 20 mSv/yr for occupational environment.
An external background ionizing radiation study has been carried out within the Asa Dam Industrial Layout of Ilorin in Kwara State. The study was carried out in 5 stations within the industrial area using two Digilert Nuclear Radiation Monitors. The study has revealed that the external background ionizing radiation is averagely 0.0134 mR/hr with a deviation of about 22% which is relatively higher than the standard background radiation of 0.011 mR/hr. This result suggests the possibility of the presence of radionuclide sources in the environment. @JASEM
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