Identification of Medical and Industrial Used Radioisotopes in Mining Sites of Nasarawa, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This research intends to unveil the presence of radioisotopes in the soil of some mining sites in Nasarawa of Nasarawa state using thermos-scientific interceptor (IdentiFINDER). The work aimed at detecting the presence, types and trust level of radioisotopes. The result showed that, 103Pd and 125I were found in 57% of the total points and the percentage abundance of the detector reached 50-65% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 109Cd was found in 15% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 109Cd shows 50% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely to be found in the area, 241Am was found in 7% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 241Am shows 81% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 235U was found in 7% of the total points. The percentage abundance of the detector for 235U reaches 57% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely found in the area, 75Se was found in 7% of the total points. The percentage abundance of the detector for 75Se was in abundance up to 57% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely gotten in the area and 57Co was gotten in 7% of the total areas. The percentage abundance of the detector for 57Co was 54% indicating that, those radioisotopes are likely to be gotten in the area. Based on this high percentage abundance of the detector for these radioisotopes, they can be harnessed and applied appropriately in medicine and industry

Estimation of public radiological dose from mining activities in some selected cities in Nigeria

Mining activities is one of the most significant sources of radiation exposure from long-lived naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs), and have resulted in unjustifiable public exposure doses which contravene radiation protection standards. As a result, estimating the extent of such exposure is essential for keeping the recommended public dose limit. This study therefore aims at estimating the public radiation dose around mining areas and its environs in some selected cities across Nigeria. Data on measured activity concentration of NORMs radionuclides comprising of U-238, Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 from soil round mining areas in some selected cities in Nigeria were extracted from previous literatures and are used for public dose estimation using RESRAD computer code. From the calculated mean activity concentration, the results from each mining locations shows the maximum dose are lower than International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), commended public dosage boundary of 1 mSv/yr with highest dose of 0.91 mSv/yr from Ra-226, Th-232 and K-40 over the period of 47.9 years reported from Gura Top mining site in Jos, Plateau State, while the lowest dose of 0.09 mSv/yr each over the period of 14.06 and 20.27 years occurred at Itagunmodi and Arufu sites for U-238, Th-232 and K-40. The highest dose recorded in Gura Top was due to numerous mining activities in the region. According to the ICRP, there is no safe level of radiation exposure. Therefore, there is need for competent authorities to conduct periodic assessment of radiation exposure from mining sites to ensure that all exposure emanating as a result of such activities are kept below the prescribed dose limit in accordance to the principle of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), thereby ensuring public protection from unjustified radiation exposure

Toxicity of Radon-222 in Groundwater across Keana in Nasarawa, Nigeria

The most common supply of freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and other domestic uses is groundwater; however, because of increased radon concentrations brought on by mining activities, its quality is still a severe concern. Using a liquid scintillation detector, this study investigated the radon content, its related toxicity, and its risk to human health in the groundwater of the Keana in Nasarawa, Nigeria. Ten (10) borehole samples and five (5) well samples totaling fifteen (15) groundwater samples were taken. The results showed that the average radon concentration in water samples from Keana was 2.25 Bq/L. The mean annual effective dosage (ingestion) for adults and children in Keana was 0.016 mSv/y and 0.027 mSv/y, respectively. In Keana, the additional lifetime cancer risk per adult was 5.65 × 10–5, and per child, it was 8.79 × 10–5. The study’s radon concentration was lower than the benchmark of 11.1 Bq/L established in 1991 by the Nigerian Standard Organization and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The results of this study indicate that the level of radon is safe; as a result, people can continue farming and other activities. To reduce the risk of cancer, however, more research could be done in the area. Further research should be done by looking at additional sources in the study area in order to cover the entire zone. Further investigation should be carried out both during the dry and wet seasons because radon concentrations in groundwater alter over time due to dilution by recharge from rainfall