Determination of radionuclide levels in soil and water around cement companies in Port Harcourt

Abstract

The study of the radionuclide concentration levels in soil and water samples in Eagle, Atlas and rock cement companies in Port Harcourt was carried out. Soil and water samples collected from the respective premises were analyzed using the gamma -ray spectrometry. The average absorbed dose rates of the soil samples were 49.27nGy/h, 45.21nGy/h and 42.33nGy/h for Eagle, Atlas and Rock cements respectively while the water values were 22.16nGy/h, 20.75nGy/h and 19.37nGy/h for the respective companies. Mean dose rate equivalents of 0.18mSv/y and 0.39mS/y were obtained for the water and soil samples. These results are lower than the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) maximum permitted limit and therefore, have no significance radiological health burden on the environment and the populace.

Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(3) 2005: 27-29