Assessment of gross alpha and beta radioactivity in some vegetable species of Komadugu Yobe riverine areas of Yobe State, Nigeria

Abstract

Vegetables constitute an important part of human diet since they contain carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. However, resulting from human and animal activities, it is usually contaminated with solid and human waste, effluents from chemical industries and radionuclides. This study investigated the gross alpha and beta activities (GABAs) in Vegetables of Komadugu-Yobe riverine areas of Yobe state, Nigeria. Vegetable (onion, pepper and tomato) samples were collected and analyzed using MPC-2000DP Low Background proportional counter. The GABA result indicated that all the alpha concentrations in all the three samples (onion,pepper and tomato) has alpha concentrations above the WHO benchmark except in location B (Azbak) for pepper sample which have value 0.09670±0.00260 Bq/kg. Beta activity concentrations in the samples analyzed across the study area were below the WHO 1.0 Bq/kg benchmark. This is in agreement with previous study which revealed that beta concentrations of study area in river water samples along Komadugu-Yobe River were within the typical world average values. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that all the vegetable samples analyzed have significant radiological health burden on the environment and the populace except locations B pepper. It is therefore recommended that efforts should be intensified to identify further sources of contaminations with a view to addressing the long standing renal and kidney failure experienced by people in the study area.