Assessment of Background Radiation Level at Dumpsites in Ogwashi-Uku and its Environs in Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study assesses background radiation levels at six dumpsites in Ogwashi-Uku and its environs in Delta State, Nigeria, using a calibrated Geiger-Muller counter. Obtained readings were used to calculate equivalent dose rate (EDR), absorbed dose rate (ADR), annual effective dose rate (AEDR), and excess life time cancer risk (ELCR). Measurements revealed that while average outdoor background ionizing radiation (BIR) and EDR was below recommended levels, absorbed dose rates (ADR), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) estimates exceeded global averages. The maximum outdoor BIR (0.018 mRhr-1) was in Ogwashi-Uku market dump 1 and is above the United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) mean value of (0.013 mRhr-1). The background ionizing radiation from these dumpsites were exactly same as the value recommended in the (UNSCEAR) report, but EDR, AEDE and ELCR were higher compared to recommended values highlighting urgent needs for improved waste management practices in order to reduce its effects on the local populace working and living around the dumpsites.