Radiation levels of dumpsites within Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

• Authors: Verla Andrew Wirnkor , Enyoh Christian Ebere , Okonkwo Felix Chukwunonso , Verla Evelyn Ngozi
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

With increasing population and human activities, dumpsites experience diverse sources of waste with potential radiation hazards. Ionizing radiations have often been overlooked amongst researchers in third world countries, hence, information in this regard is lacking. In this study, nine dumpsites within Imo State University (IMSU) grounds were assessed for radiation levels using Geiger Muller counter Tube Mullard type ZP 1481 with assisted scalar and stopwatch. After calibration, the instrument was placed one meter above ground level and count rates recorded at 10 minutes interval for each location once in the morning, the afternoon and the evening for seven days. Results reveal higher dose equivalents in some morning periods than in the afternoon and evening. Site ETF2 had highest value of 0.69±0.08 mSv·yr-1, while Extension gate had lowest value of 0.56±0.01 mSv·yr-1. Compared to National Council for Radiation Protection maximum permissible level, these values are quite low. In conclusion, ionizing radiations levels at the studied dumpsites in Imo State University grounds are low and may not pose a threat to persons within the university.

Keywords

EN

Environmental monitoring; Ionizing; Public health; waste

Discipline

• ENVIRONMENT_&_ECOLOGY: ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY

• Publisher: Scientific Publishing House „DARWIN”
• Journal: World News of Natural Sciences
• Year: 2017
• Volume: 11
• Pages: 45-64

Contributors

author

Verla Andrew Wirnkor

• Group Research in Analytical Chemistry, Environment and Climate Change (GRACE & CC), Department of Chemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, PMB 2000, Nigeria

author

Enyoh Christian Ebere

• Group Research in Analytical Chemistry, Environment and Climate Change (GRACE & CC), Department of Chemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, PMB 2000, Nigeria

author

Okonkwo Felix Chukwunonso

• Group Research in Analytical Chemistry, Environment and Climate Change (GRACE & CC), Department of Chemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State, PMB 2000, Nigeria

author

Verla Evelyn Ngozi

• Department of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

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• Document Type: article