Assessment of radioactivity and radiological hazards in commercial ceramic tiles used in Ife-Central, local government area of Osun State, Nigeria

AbstractThe activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides (40K, 232Th and 238U) in ceramic tiles use in homes and offices in Ile-Ife were investigated using a NaI (Tl) detector as the detecting device for gamma spectrometry. The gamma absorbed dose rate (DR), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual effective dose (Ad), activity concentration index (I), external radiation index (Hex), internal radiation hazard index (Hin), alpha index (Iα), activity concentration index (Iγ), excess lifetime cancer risk (EC), and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGd) associated with the radionuclides were evaluated in order to assess the radiation hazard of ceramic tiles used in Ile-Ife. The mean activity concentrations of 850, 24, and 128 Bqkg−1 were obtained for 40K, 232Th, and 238U, respectively. These resulted in an annual effective dose that ranged from 0.07 to 0.2 mSvy−1 with a mean value of 0.14 mSvy−1. The results showed that all the calculated radiological parameters are within the recommended safety limit, hence, do not pose significant radiological hazard when used as building materials.In order to determine the similarities and correlations among various samples, all the radiological variables above were subjected to correlation analysis

Effect of Oxalic Acid on Rice Husk

The aim of this research is to determine the effect of Oxalic acid on rice husk. Rice husk was collected from Osun State, Nigeria. Two methods of rice husk namely: Raw rice husk (RRH) and Leached rice husk (LRH) were subjected to thermal treatment at 7000C by varying the combustion time of 1-6h to determine the effect of time on the type of silica produced. The treated and untreated rice husks ash was then analysed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Favourable results were obtained from XRD patterns at 3h indicated that oxalic acid treated rice husk ash (LRHA) produced amorphous silica of good quality. However, specific surface area of the particle analysis at 3h, indicated the highest amount of 16.82mm2/g and also the SEM presented appropriated morphological characteristics of the best silica

CHEMICAL EXAMINATION OF PIPED WATER SUPPLY OF ILE-IFE IN SOUTHWEST NIGERIA

This study was undertaken to determine the changes in the physico-chemical properties of piped water supplied in the state, between the treatment plant and points of use in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Thirteen samples of water were collected at different locations from treatment plant to the points of use and analyzed for the following selected parameters: alkalinity, total dissolved solids, total suspended solid, total solid, potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, trace metals, sulphate and chloride. The results revealed that between treatment plant at Ede and the point of use, there are changes in the considered physico-chemical properties of the water supply.The most significant is the concentration of lead ion which was higher than the recommended 0.01mg/L by the world health organization and total alkalinity with a mean value of (325.36±81.85) mg/L. The study concluded that the treatment process needs to be reviewed to identify the possible source of the ion and put necessary prevention procedures