Assessment of Soil Radioactivity Contamination Index and Health Risks in Andoni Communities, Rivers State, Nigeria

Nwanne Theresa Ilugo; Abel Nwii Abayiga; C. P. Ononugbo

doi:10.62810/jnsr.v4i3.550

Authors

Nwanne Theresa Ilugo University of Delta, Department of Physics, Agbor, Nigeria
Dr. Nwii, A. A University of Port Harcourt, Department of Physics, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria
C. P. Ononugbo Ajuru University of Education, Department of Physics, Ignatius Port Harcourt, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v4i3.550

Keywords:

Activity concentration, Andoni, Gamma radiation, Health Risks, Radionuclides

Abstract

Twenty-one soil samples from Andoni LGA, Rivers State, Nigeria were analyzed using a NaI (IT) gamma detector to estimate radiation hazards from anthropogenic sources.The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K ranged from 8.86 to 33.37 Bq kg-1, 0 to 26.73 Bq kg-1, and 7.52 to 75.45 Bq kg-1, with mean values of 22.26 Bq kg-1, 8.45 Bq kg-1, and 27.42 Bq kg-1, respectively. These results were used to compute radiological risk parameters associated with hazards, including the Radium equivalent dose rate and excess lifetime cancer risk. The calculated indoor and outdoor annual effective dose in soil samples ranged from 0.037 to 0.129 and 0.009 to 0.032, with average values of 0.081 mSvyr^-1 and 0.020 mSvyr^-1, respectively. In contrast, the average excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was 0.62× 10-3, higher than the world average of 0.29× 10^-3. These results indicate that the study area poses no significant immediate radiological hazard from exposure to soil samples. However, the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) exceeded the recommended safety limit, suggesting potential long-term health effects from prolonged exposure. Continuous environmental radiation monitoring and further investigations are therefore recommended to identify contributing factors, support effective environmental management, and protect public health.

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