Measurement of radiation dose level within Queen Amina Hall, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria

Abstract

Measurement of background radiation is of great interest for it provides useful information in monitoring environmental radioactivity. The aim of the present study is to provide information and generate database on the natural background radiation dose levels of densely populated Queen Amina Hall, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The radiation dose (outdoor and indoor dose rate) were measured at 29 rooms (Block 1- 4) and their compounds using RADOS survey meter held at 1m above the ground. The measured radiation dose ranged 0.13 nGyh^-1 to 0.43 nGyh^-1 and 0.54 nGyh^-1 to 1.72 nGyh¹ for indoor and outdoor respectively. Some of the high values recorded could be attributed due to the contribution of cosmic radiation emanating from the atmosphere as well as the geological settings of the location as there is no any artificial contributing factor within the area. The annual effective doses within the study area was found to be 0.01 mSvy^-1 throughout which is quit below the world average value of 0.87 mSvy^-1 for natural sources.

Keywords: Radiation dose, Annual effective dose, RADOS meter, Queen Amina