In this thesis work, the radiation risk from soil samples in Idomi community located at Yakurr Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria was studied. This was because of an earlier study that revealed the presence of high radioactivity in the area. This study aim to determine the background radiation levels, estimate their effective dose, the mean activity concentrations of the radionuclide and the radiological implications of the radioactivity levels in Idomi. Thirty (30) soil samples were collected and analyzed. The baseline average annual outdoor effective dose, mean activity concentration, gamma absorbed dose and radiological hazard index were studied. Results from this study indicate that three (3) radionuclide namely 40K, 238U and 232Th were present in the soil samples analyzed.  The mean activity concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th in the soil samples were 506.13±9.30, 41.14±3.59 and 84.52±20.88 Bqkg-1 respectively.  The calculated mean external and internal hazard index was 0.62 and 0.71 respectively. The calculated mean gamma index was 0.86. The Raeq in the soil samples was 227.34 Bqkg-1. The calculated absorbed gamma dose from the sample was 110.31nGy-1 and a mean annual outdoor effective dose of 1.35mSvy-1.  Compared with global average values of 10-200nGyh-1, 2.4 mSvy-1and Raeq of 370BqKg-1 they can be said to be within the normal range. From this study, the chances of occurrence of health effects from exposure to natural terrestrial gamma radiation in Idomi can be said to be low.  This may be possible if the baseline levels obtained from this study can be kept constant by keeping the environment free of radioactive pollution.

Background: Humans are inevitably exposed to background radiation in work and public environments. The aim of this work is to assess the effectiveness of the secondary barriers in conventional x-ray diagnostic centers in Calabar and Uyo metropolises. This is by determining the weekly and annual effective dose in their respective uncontrolled areas and comparing them with the international recommendations. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in three x-ray diagnostic centers in Calabar, represented as C1, C2, and C3 respectively, and in four xray diagnostic centers in Uyo, represented as U1, U2, U3, and U4 respectively. Background radiation was measured using Radex 1212 A-A battery-powered survey meter, at a distance of 2.5meters away from the xray units. Radiation measurement was taken at three different spots, and the recorded data were analyzed. Results: The mean calculated effective dose per week in mSv/week for each diagnostic center was given as 0.130 ± 0.0068mSv/week. Also, the mean calculated effective dose per year in mSv/year for each center was given as 0.66 ± 0.35mSv/year. These values are below the National Commission on Radiation Protection (NCRP) recommendations of 0.02mSv/week and 1mSv/year respectively. From the results, the mean calculated chance of developing cancer was 2.33 ×10-3% which was lower than the NCRP recommendation for continuous public exposure of 5.5×10-3 %. Conclusion: It could be concluded that the integrity of the shielding designs and their dimensions assessed are safe.

Background The production of a good quality chest radiograph depends on the selection of appropriate kilovoltage and current–time product while keeping the radiation dose to patients as low as possible. This study assessed radiographers’ level of compliance to the use of high kV as standard for postero-anterior (PA) chest X-ray in the South South region of Nigeria. Results Seventy-seven of the 82 questionnaires administered were completely filled and returned giving a response rate of 94%. Of these 77 respondents, only 74% (n = 57) were aware of high-kV technique as the recommended procedure for PA chest X-ray. Departmental protocols (technique chart with exposure factors) were also non-existent in all hospitals/diagnostic centres used in this study. Thirty-one respondents were males (40%); 44% (n = 34) working in public hospitals only and 32% (n = 25) with less than five years of working experience were aware of this technique. On the benefits, more than 50% of the respondents were familiar with the benefits of using high-kV technique as the recommended standard for PA chest X-rays. Responses on the benefits of the technique varied from 77% (n = 59) for patient dose reduction to 51% (n = 39) for better imaging of the airways. The use of high-kV technique for PA chest X-rays showed only 13% compliance. Factors influencing compliance included imaging system (film screen /digital), X-ray tube rating and X-ray unit with preset/manual exposure factors (p < 0.05). Conclusions The present study revealed low compliance to high-kV technique in this region, suggesting a potential increase in ionizing radiation dose to patients during chest radiography, hence the need to improve adherence to the recommended standard.

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Purpose: This study aims to assess the awareness of the theatre team to radiation risk from C-arm as well as their adherence to radiation protection or safety measures in the study Centre. Methods: A non-experimental descriptive design was adopted for this study and a well-structured 27 item questionnaire was distributed to 52 members of the surgical theatre: Surgeons, Anesthesiologists, Theatre nurses and Radiographers in the selected hospital. Of this sample, 49 respondents returned their questionnaires. Results. Results from this study reveal a high level (83.67%) of knowledge of radiation risk from C-arm. A greater percentage of the respondents have an average level of knowledge of radiation protection or safety measures: Surgeons (58.8%), Anesthesiologists (50%), and Theatre Nurses (33.3%). Of this percentage on awareness, only 41.1% of Surgeons, 30% of Anesthesiologists, 16.6% of theatre Nurses adhere to these radiation protection/safety measures. This study further reveals a low level of awareness and use of radiation monitoring devices: Surgeons (29.4%), Anesthesiologists (10%), and Theatre Nurses (8.3%). Also, the study shows that the surgical team spends long periods during surgical procedures: 4 hours (24.48%), 6 hours (20.4%), 12 hours (6.12%), thus increasing their susceptibility to radiation effects. The study further affirms that a lesser percentage of the respondents (44.89%) knew the safest positioning of the radiation-emitting tube, meaning that a greater percentage of the respondents don’t know the safest position to take during beam-on periods. Conclusion: This study shows a high level of knowledge of radiation risk, an average level of awareness to radiation protection/safety measures and a poor level adherence of these measures by the theater team.