Environmental Research Journal

Year: 2010
Volume: 4
Issue: 3
Page No. 229 - 234

Assessment of Radiation Level Within and Around Stonebridge Quarry Site, Km 22 Lagos Ibadan Express Way, Southwest Nigeria

Authors : A.M. Gbadebo and H. Ayedun

Abstract: Within and around major cities of Southwestern Nigeria, there are scores of quarry industries whose activities constitute menace into the immediate environments. This study assessed the level of natural radiations resident in different rock aggregate sizes, surface and subsurface soils within and around a typical quarry sites (Stone bridge quarry) located close to Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. Radiations were determined to a maximum depth of 2.0 m and up to 500 m away from the quarry phases. The radiation level was found to be higher in the freshly quarried coarse aggregate (138 count per minute (cpm)) than previously quarried coarse rock aggregate (132 cpm) and also higher in muscovitic coarse aggregate (120 cpm) than in biotitic coarse aggregate (108 cpm). However, the radiation levels in dust (<½ inch), 1.27 cm (½ inch), 1.91 cm (¾ inch) aggregates are 90, 126 and 120 cpm, respectively. Similarly the radiation levels generally ranged between 42 and 120 cpm in the surface soils and between 48 and 138 cpm in the subsurface soils. However, the maximum value of dose rate and annual effective dose of 47.7±1 ng h-1 and 58.54±1 μSv year-1 was recorded for aggregate sizes, while the maximum dose rate of 43.4±1 and 49.9±3 ngy h-1 were recorded for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. The maximum annual effective dose of 53.30±1 and 61.4±2 μSv year-1 for surface and subsurface soils, respectively. Continuous exposure on the parts of the quarry workers and the farmers in the study area may constitute health hazards in the near future. Regular monitoring of radiation level and determination of different types of radio-nuclides in the area is recommended in order to put in place appropriate policy on health of the citizenry.

How to cite this article:

A.M. Gbadebo and H. Ayedun, 2010. Assessment of Radiation Level Within and Around Stonebridge Quarry Site, Km 22 Lagos Ibadan Express Way, Southwest Nigeria. Environmental Research Journal, 4: 229-234.

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