Assessment of indoor and outdoor radiation levels and human health risk in Sheda Science and Technology Complex and its environ, Abuja, Nigeria

A study to assess the Indoor and Outdoor Background Ionizing Radiation (BIR) of Sheda Science and Technology Complex, Abuja has been conducted. An in-situ measurement using a portable factory calibrated radiation dose rate meter, Radiagem 2000, was used to ascertain the radiation level. The measured radiation dose rates were used to evaluate the radiological health hazards and radiation effective doses to different body organs using well established radiological relations. The results shows that the total Dose Rate (indoor and outdoor), the Total Annual Equivalent Dose (indoor and outdoor), total Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (indoor and outdoor) and the total Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (indoor and outdoor) are 0.113±0.022 (μSv/h), 0.071±0.016 (μSv/h), 0.794±0.155 mSv/y, 0.0.124±0.074 mSv/y, 0.556±0.109 mSv/y, 0.087±0.020 mSv/y, 1.945±0.379, 0.304±0.104 respectively for the three zones. The dosage to organs received shows that the testes have the highest dose while the liver has the lowest dose (indoor and outdoor) for the three zones. Generally the study shows that the Annual Effective Dose Equivalents were within the permissible limits of 1 mSv/y for general public exposure recommended by the (ICRP). Also, the effective doses to different body organs are all below the recommended limits of 1 mSv/y. The calculated Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk values indicates that the chance of contacting cancer by workers and residents of the study area is not probable hence the study area could be said to be radiologically safe.Keywords: Ionizing Radiation, Equivalent Dose, Effective Dose, Excess Lifetime Cancer Ris

Irradiation for mold and mycotoxin control : a review

The mycotoxin issue requires constant vigilance from economic, regulatory, and scientific agents to minimize its toxicological effects on human and on animals. The implementation of good practices to avoid fungal growth and mycotoxin production on agricultural commodities is essential to achieve most restrictive safety standards; however, the contribution of novel technologies that may act on post-harvesting and post-storage situations may be equally important. Several methodologies, more or less technologically advanced, may be used for this purpose. In this work, we review the role, contribution, and impact of irradiation technology to control the presence of fungi and mycotoxins in food and in feed. The effect of this technology on the viability of mold spores and on the elimination of mycotoxins is reviewed. A critical evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of irradiation in this context is presented.Thalita Calado and Luis Abrunhosa received support through grants SFRH/BD/79364/2011 and SFRH/BPD/43922/2008, respectively, from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia - FCT, Portugal. The authors also thank the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 and the project "BioInd - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for Improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes, REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028," which is cofunded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON. 2 - O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER