Radioactivity and Radiological Risks of Soil Exposure to Workers: a Case Study of Production Company in Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background dose assessment has been carried out in and around a production company using Gamma Ray Spectrometer (Super Spec. 125 model). This was done to identify the zones that could pose health risks to workers. The geospatial maps for easy identification of radionuclides occurrence in the factory was determined using geospatial analysis. The highest exposure dose was found at the restaurant and factory areas whereas the lowest background dose was noted at the entrance of the company. The absorbed dose rate of 199.88nGry/h is 0.4 % higher than the world average value according to UNSCAER, 2000. The geospatial analysis revealed that the natural radionuclides in the region have a trend, NW-SE trending with significant re-deposition at the western part. This could be caused by the diffusion of chemical weathering and complexation of Dahomey (Benin) basin soil geology from human activities. The boxplot identified the radionuclides distributions which are in the order of magnitudes 40K>238U>232Th in the study area. Significantly, the geospatial analysis of the background gamma dose rate has revealed the hot spots in the area which may pose health risk to the workers if adequate measure is not taken to advise workers not to spend much time at the hot spot zone.