Radiological Risk Assessment due to Ingestion of some Bottled Drinking Water on the Ghanaian Market

Activity concentrations of the Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORMs) in some bottled drinking water brands obtained from some supermarkets in Accra were analyzed using gamma spectrometry.40 K activity concentrations were in the range of 3.57 - 5.47 Bq/L, the highest occurring in brand L9. Similarly,232 Th activity concentrations were in the range of 0.30 - 0.56 Bq/L with the highest occurring in brand L8. 226 Ra was identified in eleven brands with the remaining 5 below detection limit. The highest value (0.53 Bq/L) occurred in brand L9. Comparison of the mean concentrations showed significant differences at (α = 0.05) between the various brands of bottled water. Estimated committed effective doses were generally below 0.1 mSv/a for all age groups with the exception of children <1yr. Estimated lifetime cancer and hereditary risk were done using the ICRP risk assessment methodology

Determination of Natural Radioactivity and Hazard in Soil and Rock Samples in a Mining Area in Ghana

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Calibration and Performance Testing of Sodium Iodide, NaI (Tl), Detector at the Food and Environmental Laboratory of the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission

The performance testing of a newly acquired sodium iodide detector (NaI), (Tl)) at Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) was investigated by carrying out energy and efficiency calibration on the detector, as well as validation of its calibration. The energy and efficiency calibrations were performed using mixed radionuclides 241 109 57 137 60 standard containing Am, Cd, Co, Cs and Co in the energy range of 60–1333 keV. The energy and efficiency calibration curves obtained compare well with what is available in the literature. Results of the validation of the calibration showed that there were no significance differences between the measured and the calculated activities of the standard radionuclides with activity ratios in the range of 0.90-0.98 and the corresponding percentage deviation in a range of 1.43–10.47%. The average MDA of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs from background counting rates were estimated to be 0.099 ± 0.055 Bq, 0.061 ± 0.037 Bq, 0.727 ± 0.300 Bq and 0.014 ± 0.006 Bq, respectively

Artificial and Natural Radioactivity Measurements and Radiation Dose Assessment in the Vicinity of Ghana Nuclear Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1)

Radioactivity concentrations of <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th, <sup>40</sup>K and <sup>137</sup>Cs in soil samples and water sources around the Ghana Research Reactor-1 (GHARR-1) and the immediate surroundings have been measured using gamma spectrometry. The primary aim of the study was to establish baseline radioactivity levels in the environs of GHARR-1. The average activity concentration of <sup>226</sup>Ra, <sup>232</sup>Th, <sup>40</sup>K and <sup>137</sup>Cs were 22.3 ± 1.12 Bq kg<sup>-1</sup>, 49.8 ± 1.60Bq kg-1, 99.60 ± 5.81 Bq kg<sup>-1</sup> and 1.48 ± 0.25 Bq kg<sup>-1</sup> for soil and 0.60 ± 0.11 Bq l<sup>-1</sup>, 2.13 ± 0.21 Bq l<sup>-1</sup>, 10.75 ± 0.84 Bq l<sup>-1</sup> and 0.47 ± 0.05 Bq l<sup>-1</sup>for the water, respectively. The <sup>226</sup>Ra and <sup>232</sup>Th concentrations compare quite well with world averages, whilst the <sup>40</sup>K concentration was lower than the world average. The levels of <sup>137</sup>Cs observed in the samples are within the range of ‘background’  concentrations. The estimated average annual effective doses from external exposure to soil and ingestion of water samples were calculated to be 0.06 mSv and 0.53 mSv, respectively. The estimated outdoor  external gamma dose rate measured in air ranged from 20-430 nGy h<sup>-1</sup> with an average value of 100 nGy h<sup>-1</sup>, which is higher than the world average value of 59 nGy h<sup>-1</sup>. In the case of water samples, the average value was higher than the guidance level of 0.1 mSv y<sup>-1</sup>, as recommended by the European Union and the World Health Organization

Spectroscopic determination of pH

A technique of measuring pH at temperature range of 20 - 70 ºC and high pressure conditions of 1 - 200 atmosp-heres has been developed by relating the ratio of absorbance peaks of indicator solutions (basic and acidic) as a function of pH, using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The pH values of the buffer solutions measured at 20 PoPC and 70 Po PC indicated slight temperature dependence, while the pressure had no effect. The pH of the buff-er solutions increased with temperature with relative standard deviations in the range 0.4 - 0.5 % at 95 % confid-ence interval. The possible causes of the temperature dependence were attributed to changes in pH values as the temperature changed

Measurement Of Activity Concentrations Of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K And 137Cs In Some Common Spices Consumed By Inhabitants In Accra Metropolis, Ghana

A spice is a vegetable substance of indigenous or exotic origin which is or has a hot, pigment taste, used to enhance taste of foods or to add to them the stimulant ingredients contained in them. Knowledge of radioactivity levels in human diet is of particular concern for the estimation of possible radiological hazards to human health. In this study, the radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in some selected natural and processed spices of different brands in the Madina District of Accra Metropolis were determined and the ingested doses via food consumption were also assessed using gamma spectrometry. The average activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in the natural spices were 0.81 ± 0.2 BqKg-1, 0.98 ± 0.4 BqKg-1, 2.19 ± 0.9 BqKg-1 and 0.06 ± 0.01 BqKg-1 respectively. For the processed spices, the average activity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs were 0.18 ± 0.1 BqKg-1, 0.3 ± 0.1 BqKg-1, 1.3 ± 0.8 BqKg-1 and 0.02 ± 0.01 BqKg-1 respectively. The levels of 137Cs observed in the samples are within the range of ‘background’ concentrations. The estimated total annual effective dose received from 226Ra, 232Th and 137Cs, due to consumption of natural (fresh) and processed spices by the inhabitants of Madina in the Accra metropolis was 8.47 μSvy-1 and this is far below the average radiation dose of 0.29 mSvy-1 received per caput worldwide due to ingestion of natural radionuclides provided in UNSCEAR (2000) report. The results indicate insignificant radiological health hazard to the public due to the consumption of spices via foods

Assessment of natural radioactivity levels and associated radiological hazard in scale and sludge from Jubilee oilfield of Ghana

Knowledge of accurate radio-isotopic signatures and chemical constituents is essential in assessing potential radiological hazards to the public and workers from exposure to NORM waste. For that reason, scale and sludge samples from Ghanaian oilfields were assessed using alpha spectrometry, gamma spectrometry, radon monitoring and scanning electron microscope techniques. Activity concentration of 238U, 232Th-series and 40K radionuclides for NORM residues have been evaluated. Fourteen trace elements were also identified and semi-qualitatively quantified. The obtained results clearly reflect that scale and sludge may present radiological risk for workers, public and environment.Peer reviewe