Assessment of environmental radioactivity levels in Jimeta area of metropolitan Yola, Adamawa state

Abstract

A radiological survey was carried out over Jimeta area of metropolitan Yola, Adamawa State, using a portable radiation alert monitor 4 of S. E. International, Inc. USA. The study showed that a mean whole body dose equivalent rate of 0.83 ± 0.11 mSv/y and mean absorbed dose rate of 1.19 ± 0.17 mGy/y resulted from total environmental radiation in Jimeta. Allowing for a cosmic radiation of 0.28 mGy/y the mean absorbed dose due to the environmental radioactivity is therefore 0.91 mGy/y. These values are lower than the 1 mSv/y recommended to the average individual member of the public by International Commission on Radiological
Protection (ICRP). Hence residents of Jimeta are not unduly exposed to health risk due to environmental radiation exposure.