Environmental Ionizing Radiation Distribution in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

The distribution of ionizing radiation in Rivers State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is studied on the premise that the state ‐ wide distribution of oil and gas operations leads to a homogeneous ionizing radiation environment. The state is sub divided into three self‐ consistent sub environments of an upland college campus environment, a rural riverine environment and an industrial sub zone environment. Available data give a mean dose equivalent of 0.745+ 0.085 mSv/yr (upland campus environment), 0.690+0.170 mSv/yr (rural riverine communities) and 1.270+0.087 mSv/yr (industrial zone) indicating an inhomogeneous radiation profile. The differences may be due to variations in levels of industrial activities and local geological peculiarities. Health implications are also examined. Santrauka Jonizuojančiosios spinduliuotes pasiskirstymas Rivers valstijoje Nigerio deltos regione, Nigerijoje, yra nagrinejamas remiantis prielaida, kad valstijos mastu naftos ir duju veiklos pletra gali tureti itakos aplinkos jonizuojančiosios spinduliuotes homogenizacijai. Tirti pasirinktos trys būdingos aplinkos vietos: universiteto teritorija, esanti vasltijos aukštumoje, kaimo paupio teritorijos bei pramonine aplinka. Gauti rezultatai parode, kad vidutines dozes ekvivalentai atitinkamai pasirinktose vietose yra 0,745±0,085 mSv/yr, 0,690±0,170 mSv/yr ir l,270±0087 mSv/yr. Rezultatai paneige prielaida apie galima aplinkos jonizuojančiosios spinduliuotes homogenizacija. Šiems skirtumams itakos gali tureti nevienodi pramonines veiklos mastai bei vietiniai geologiniai ypatumai. Taip pat darbe skiriama demesio jonizacijos reikšmingumui sveikatai. Резюме Распределение ионизирующего излучения в штате Риверс региона дельты Нила в Нигерии анализируется на основании предпосылки о том, что расширение деятельности по добыче нефти и газа в масштабе штата может оказать влияние на гомогенизацию ионизирующего излучения в окружающей среде. Для исследований были подобраны три наиболее характерных места окружающей среды: территория университета, находящаяся на высоком месте штата, сельские территории вблизи реки и промышленная среда. Полученные результаты показали следующие эквиваленты средних доз в выбранных местах: 0,745±0,085 mSv/yr, 0,690±0,170 mSv/yr и 1,270± 0,087 mSv/yr и опровергли предпосылку о возможной гомогенизации ионизирующего излучения в окружающей среде. Разница в результатах может быть объяснена разными масштабами промышленной деятельности и местными геологическими особенностями. Также обращено внимание на значение ионизации для здоровья людей.

Seasonal Variation of Indoor Radon Concentration Levels in Different Premises of a University Building

“…Ionizing radiation can cause harm to human health [6,7]. As radon is one of the natural ionizing radiation sources [8] and is the second cause (after smoking) of lung cancer, a great deal of effort is spent monitoring and forecasting the radon concentrations in the premises of buildings [9].…”

Determination of Terrestrial Radiation Level of Obite, Rivers State

“…This has increased on daily bases due to anthropogenic activities with great concerns putting into considerations its effects when exposed to high doses. The human exposure to background ionizing radiation of a particular environment is affected by various factors such as altitude and latitude (Chad-Umoren and Briggs-Kamara, 2010). Most exposures to radiation sources are modified by anthropogenic activities like the radio nuclides released to the environment during mineral processing (UNSCEAR, 2010).…”

Ionizing Radiation Profile of the Hydrocarbon Belt of Nigeria

“…A number of ionizing radiation surveys have previously been carried out in the Niger delta region to assess the impact of industrialization on the radiation profile of the region and a strong correlation has been established between high industrial activities and elevated background ionizing radiation (BIR) levels for parts of the region (Avwiri and Ebeniro, 1998;Chad-Umoren and Briggs-Kamara, 2010). Ebong and Alagoa (1992 a, b) studied the background ionizing radiation profile at the fertilizer plant at Onne, Rivers State.…”

“…Table 4. Dose equivalent, D computed for the data of Table 3 (Industrial environment) (Avwiri and Ebeniro, 2002;Chad-Umoren and Briggs-Kamara, 2010) study used a digilert 50 and a digilert 100 nuclear radiation monitoring meters containing a Geiger-Muller tube capable of detecting , , and x-rays within the temperature range of -10 0 C to 50 0 C, alongside a geographical positioning system (GPS) which was used to measure the precise location of sampling. The survey was carried out between the hours of 1300 and 1600 hours, because the exposure rate meter has a maximum response to environmental radiation within these hours (Louis et al, 2005).…”