MEASUREMENT OF BACKGROUND IONIZING RADIATION IN NASARAWA TOWN, NASARAWA STATE

MEASUREMENT OF BACKGROUND IONIZING RADIATION IN NASARAWA TOWN, NASARAWA STATE

Abstract

The background ionizing radiation (BIR) of Nasarawa town has been measured. Radiation alert meter was used in this study. The study shows that Emir Palace has the highest measurement of 0.06 – 0.01mSv/yr followed by market, and down base with measurement of 0.05 – 0.01mSv/yr. These measurements are still within 1.0mSv/yr recommended value by International Commission on Radiological protection (ICRP) for the general public. Therefore Nasarawa town is not in any way threaten by background ionization radiation for now. It is recommended that periodic monitoring should be encouraged to be carried out in case there is sudden increase in BIR.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

There are many forms of ionizing radiation encountered in our natural environment and are produced by modem technology. Most of them have peaceful and harmful effect.

In our daily life, we are exposed to various types of naturally occurring radiation from cosmic rays, from radioactive substances in the earth and from naturally occurring radiation from our bodies. This is commonly referred to as background radiation.

The use of radiation is accompanied with some health hazard, unless such uses are regulated, such that exposure is kept within acceptable limits ‘As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA)’, the looming disasters is unimaginable. Radiation monitory is a very important precaution against over-exposure to harmful ionizing radiation since we are in escapable exposed environmental background radiation. This environmental background radiation varies in intensity and quality from place to place and from time to time (Ndiriza et al., 2008).

Background Ionizing Radiation (BIR) is also known as outdoor ionizing radiation. BIR is the radiation of manes natural environment, consisting of what comes from cosmic rays, the naturally’ radioactive of the earth and from within man’s body (Nwankwo and Akoshile, 2000.),

The background ionizing radiation (BIR) of particular environment is affected by a number of factors such as the attitude and latitude. The dose from cosmic rays for instance changes by a factor of three from sea level to about 3000m above the sea level and varies between 10% and 20% from 0.50 latitude. The concentration of the radionuclide radium and thorium in rocks vary similarly (Yehundah et al, 2010). Background radiation is a weak radiation from environment; it is a low level radiation occurring naturally as a result of radioactivity present in the air, soil and other structure.

The mining of mineral resources also facilitates the release of radioactive materials from the host materials into the environment (Agba et al., 2006), while some of these minerals used as building materials are said to be radioactive (Birlahaser. 2003). Thus any human activities in the environment that leads to the depletion of the ozone Iayer increase the background ionizing radiation of those areas as the depletion of the ozone layer means increase in the comic radiation that is able to reach the earth (Yehundah et al., 2010).

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

It has been established that chronic exposure to a lo dose rate of ionizing radiation from an irradiated building has the potential to induce cytogenetic damage to human being (CHANG etal., 1997). This induced cytogenetic damage can cause leukemia, chrosornal breakage, bone necrosis, hone cancer, mutation of genes, cataracts of the eyes lens e.t.c (Agba et al, 2006). Risk of exposure to radiation from radioactive substance is sometimes ignored while great attention is paid to associated risks from only atomic and nuclear bombs and nuclear power plants. Man in his everyday life is immersed in dangerous radiation occurring naturally in the human environment. Small traces of many naturally occurring radioactive materials are present in the human body.

1.3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This work is intended to provide the following:

1. The level of Radiation exposure of the people living in Nasarawa town will be known.
2. Reference data on the radioactive level in Nasarawa town will be documented.
3. Radiological risk in which the resident of this town are exposure will also be known.

1.4 AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The aim and objectives of this research work are:

1. To assess the background ionizing radiation level in Nasarawa town.
2. To provides a reference data on BIR (Background ionizing radiation) level in Narasawa town.
3. To ascertain whether or not the town is radiologically safe and making recommendations regarding ionizing radiation protection if necessary.