Assessment of radiation exposure levels at Alaba e-waste dumpsite in comparison with municipal waste dumpsites in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

a b s t r a c tRadiation exposures at the e-waste dumpsite around Alaba International Market, Lagos and three municipal waste dumpsites located in Ibadan and Ado Ekiti, southwest Nigeria were assessed by gamma ray spectroscopy using a highly shielded Canberra NaI (Tl) detector. Soil samples were collected for analysis at the municipal waste dumpsites for comparison with e-waste dumpsite. Samples were also collected at a location free from waste dumps to serve as control. The mean concentrations of 40 K, 226 Ra, and 232 Th obtained at the e-waste dumpsite were lower than those obtained at the municipal waste dumpsites and the controls site. The values obtained at the e-waste dumpsite were also lower than the world average values of 412 Bq/kg, 35 Bq/kg and 30 Bq/kg for 40 K, 226 Ra, and 232 Th, respectively as reported by UNSCEAR. The mean annual effective dose rate obtained for the soil samples from e-waste dumpsite, Oritaperin, Ring-road and Ilokun dumpsites were respectively 0.026 mSv, 0.074 mSv, 0.080 mSv and 0.093 mSv/yr. The mean absorbed dose rate at the e-waste dumpsite was 21.12nGy/h which is lower than the world average of 60nGy/h. Values for other hazard indices were below the world average and lower than their respective minimum permissible limits. Hence, e-waste and municipal waste does not pose any immediate radiological risk to the people working/living in the vicinity of the dumpsites.

E-waste management in Sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic literature review

“…The impact of e-waste on human health has been devastating. Communities near e-waste recycling sites are prone to health and safety concerns such as inhalation of toxic chemicals and exposure to radiation (Jibiri et al, 2014). A study by Machete (2017) in South Africa confirmed human exposure to toxic metals such as arsenic, mercury, and cadmium whose effect on human health is catastrophic.…”

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Review of Distribution of Natural Radiation in Some Parts of Nigeria

“…These results are below the (ICRP) maximum permitted limit and, therefore, have no significant radiological health effect on the people and the environment. Ref [25] investigated the activity concentrations of 40 K, 226 Ra, and 232 Th in an elevated radiation area of Oyo south-west Nigeria. In order to estimate the radiation dose acquire by the people, In situ gamma dose rates were likewise analyzed at each collection point.…”