Evaluation of Radionuclide contents of suspended particulate matter from two quarry sites in Nigeria, have been carried out using High Volume air sampler and Gamma ray spectrometer NaI (Tl) Detector. The results obtained showed the mean value for 226 Ra, 232Th and 40k for Ishiagu sampleswere 2.76, 1.57 and 5.29 Bq/Kg respectively while that obtained in Okpella sampleswere 1.84, 2.21 and 6.2 Bq/kg respectively. The values obtained were higher than their control values but lower than the world recommended safe values. The results obtained in Okpella are slightly higher than that obtained in Ishiagu sites. This could be due to different geological constituents and other mining activities going on at Okpella that might have contributed to the slight change. All the radiological health risk parameter estimated were within their safe values as recommended by UNSCEAR. Comparison of results with other similar works shows positive correlation. We therefore conclude that inhalable suspended particulate matter within quarry sites does not constitute immediate radiological health hazard though precaution should be taken to avoid long term accumulation that can lead to stochastic health risk.
A study of background ionizing radiation (BIR) levels to estimate organ dose rates and excess lifetime cancer risk in Unicem cement producing company, Calabar, Cross River state and Bua cement producing company, Okpella in Edo state have been carried out using Digilert 100 and Radalert-200 nuclear radiation monitor and a geographical positioning system (GPS) for GIS mapping of the area. The in-situ measurement of the exposure rate was between May, 2018 and June, 2019 at regular intervals. The average exposure rate of 0.023 mRh-1 was measured at Unicem, Calabar and 0.027 mRh-1 at Bua cement area, Okpella. The mean equivalent doses of 1.92 mSvy-1 and 2.29 mSvy-1 was recorded in Unicem and Bua Okpella respectively. The estimated mean outdoor absorbed dose rate value of 196.74 nGyh-1 in Unicem and its environment while in Bua cement industry, Okpella, the value of 234.9 nGyh-1 was obtained. The mean annual effective dose calculated was 0.24 and 0.29 mSvy-1 for Unicem and Bua Okpella respectively. The mean excess life time cancer risk recorded in the areas 0.72 x10-3 in Unicem area and 1.01 x10-3 in Bua cement environment. The calculated dose to organs showed that the testes have the highest organ dose of 0.74 mSvy-1 and 0.83 mSvy-1 for Unicem and Bua Okpella areas respectively while the liver has the lowest organ dose of 0.08 mSvy-1 and 0.11 mSvy-1 for Unicem and Bua Okpella respectively. This study revealed that the exposure rate and all the radiological risk parameters exceeded their recommended safe values. The area of study is radiologically polluted and may be detrimental to human health for long term exposure.
In this study, the electrical conductivity and physical properties of loamy soil samples with various additives is determined. The electrical conductivity meter was used to obtain the electrical conductivity and some standard methods have been adopted to obtain other properties. It is observed that the soil combined with NPK had the highest electrical conductivity with the least coming from the soil (control). It is concluded that NPK raises the electrical conductivity of the soil. This goes forth to show a measure of the amount of salts in soil (salinity of soil), which is an important indicator of soil health. It affects crop yields, crop suitability, plant nutrient availability, and activity of soil microorganisms which in turn influences key soil processes including the emission of greenhouse gases such as nitrogen oxides, methane, and carbon dioxide. It is recommended that soil with organic manure should be used in order to maintain low salinity and good soil health.
Particulate matter concentration was measured over two cement production sites in Nigeria using a gravimetric high volume air sampler and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) for elemental analysis. The mass concentration of SPM ranged from 7.50 µg/m3 to 303.1 µg/m3 with mean value of 157.9 µg/m3 /day in Okpella Bua cement production site and 4.4 to 283.3 µg/m³ with mean value of 103.2 µg/m³/day for Unicem cement production site, Calabar. The elemental analysis shows the presence of Zn, Pb, Ni, Mn, Cr and Cd. The heavy metals in the order of decreasing concentration are Zn> Pb> Ni > Mn> Cr> Cd: 7.84> 2.60> 2.00> 0.80> 0.76 > 0.11 (µg/m3) respectively. All the values were higher than NESREA limit except Mn in Okpella Bua site. In UNICEM Calabar site, heavy metal distribution showed Zn> Pb> Ni> Mn> Cr> Cd: 12.50> 3.00> 1.26> 0.66> 0.41> 0.14 (µg/m3), respectively. The carcinogenic risks estimated exceeded the acceptable limit for adult, workers and children. The result showed that about 106 adults and 227 children will be affected by cancer related health problem. The mean value of the hazard quotient (HQ) was 1.46 and 2.46 from Unicem and 1.76 and 2.95 from Bua cement area for chromium and lead exposure of adult and children respectively, which shows the occurrence of the non-carcinogenic health effect on both adult and children. The result of this work revealed that children have higher risk than adult due to exposure to this inhalable particulate matter.
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