F O Ugbede

Bio: F O Ugbede is an academic researcher. The author has contributed to research in topics: Effective dose (radiation). The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 14 citations.

Assessment of outdoor radiation levels and radiological health hazards in Emene Industrial Layout of Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract: A study to assess the outdoor Background Ionizing Radiation (BIR) levels in Emene Industrial Layout of Enugu State, Nigeria has been conducted. An in-situ measurement of BIR exposure rate in mRh-1 for 30 locations was done using a well calibrated portable GQ GMC-320 PLUS nuclear radiation detector at an elevation of 1.0 m above ground level with a geographical positioning system (GPS) for geographical location. The measured BIR exposure rates were used to evaluate the radiological health hazards and radiation effective doses to different body organs using well established radiological relations. The obtained values were compared with recommended permissible limits to ascertain the radiological health status of the environment. The mean values of BIR exposure levels (0.015±0.001 mRh-1), absorbed dose rates (126.15±5.10 ηGyh-1) and excess lifetime cancer risk (0.541±0.032×10-3) are higher than their recommended safe limits of 0.013 mRh-1, 84.0 ηGyh-1, 0.29×10-3 respectively as recommended by ICRP and UNSCEAR. The mean annual effective dose equivalent (0.155±0.006 mSvy-1) is within recommended permissible limits of 1.00 mSvy-1 for general public exposure. Also, the effective doses to different body organs are all below the recommended limits of 1.0 mSvy-1. Generally, the study shows that Emene Industrial Layout is radiologically contaminated due to industrial activities taking place. However, the contamination does not constitute any immediate radiological health effect on resident of the area but there is the potential for long-term health hazards in the future such as cancer due to accumulated doses. Key words: BIR exposure level, effective dose, industrial activities, Emene Industrial Layout.

Distribution of 40K, 238U and 232Th and associated radiological risks in river sand sediments across Enugu East, Nigeria

Abstract: The distributions of 40K, 238U and 232Th in sand sediments of rivers in Enugu east, Southeastern, Nigeria have been studied and measured using NaI(TI) gamma-ray spectrometry detector. The average activity concentrations of 40K, 238U and 232Th across the studied locations were found to range from 13.18 (at Emene river) to 109.64 Bqkg–1 (at Trans-Ekulu river), 8.52 (at Abakpa river) to 15.45 Bqkg–1 (Eke express river) and 10.67 (at Emene river) to 16.94 Bqkg–1(at Abakpa river), respectively. The overall averages were found to be 60.55, 12.07 and 13.02 Bqkg–1 for 40K, 238U and 232Th, respectively. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides in sediments of the study areas were found to be lower than their world average of 400, 35, and 30 Bqkg–1, respectively. Radium equivalent activity, external hazard index, internal hazard index, absorbed dose rate, total Annual effective dose, excess lifetime cancer risk and gamma representative index were calculated. The purpose was to assess the radiological suitability of the use of the sediments as building material. The overall average values of the radiological indices were 35.35 Bqkg–1, 0.10, 0.13, 15.96 nGyh–1, 0.10 mSvy–1, 0.34 × 10–3 and 0.25, respectively, which are lower than their respective recommended worldwide limits. The results of the study have shown that the radiation hazard associated with the use of these sediments is insignificant and therefore can be used for building construction purposes without restriction.

Determination of specific activity of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K and radiological hazard assessment of Tuomo River Sediments in Burutu, Delta State, Nigeria

Abstract: The activity concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in sediments samples from Tuomo river in Burutu, Delta State, Nigeria have been determined using gamma spectrometry NaI(TI) detector. The concentrations of 238 U, 232 Th and 40 K in the sediments range from 18.69±1.88−77.99±4.35 Bqkg −1 , 59.67 ± 11.85 −149.03 ±23.97 Bqkg −1 and 580.19±3.89−873.04±4.86 Bqkg −1 respectively. The mean values were found to be above their respective world average values. Radiological risk assessments were carried out to ascertain the possible radiological effects associated with the use of the sediments. The results for the radiological hazard parameters revealed that the sediments are in tandem with recommended safe limits. Therefore, the use of Tuomo river sediment for purpose of building and other human needs is generally of negligible radiological concern for human health. Keywords: Natural radionuclides; Activity concentration; Radiological hazards; Sediments

Assessment of background ionizing radiation dose levels in quarry sites located in Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract: The study presents a radiometric survey of Background Ionizing Radiation (BIR) dose levels in ten quarry sites located in Ebonyi State, Nigeria. In-situ BIR dose rate measurements, by means of nuclear radiation survey meter, at 1 m above ground level were carried out at the excavation section (ES) and quarrying section (QS) of the investigated quarry sites. The obtained results indicated dose rates ranging from from 0.14 to 0.18 μSv/h with mean of 0.15±0.01 μSv/h at the ES and 0.16 to 0.19 μSv/h with mean value of 0.18±0.01 μSv/h at the QS. While the values obtained at the QS are respectively higher than those measured at the ES, they are all higher than the worldwide average value of 84 nSv/h signifying BIR elevated environments. The estimated mean annual effective dose (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) are 0.27±0.03 mSv/y and 0.94×10–3 respectively at the ES and 0.31±0.02 mSv/y and 1.07×10–3 at the QS. The obtained AED values for all the sites are well above the outdoor worldwide average value of 0.07 mSv/y but lower than the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended permissible limits of 1.0 mSv/y for the general public. Generally, the BIR levels of the quarry sites are within acceptable limits and no immediate radiological health threat may be derived from the current levels. However, long-term health effects due to continuous exposure to low-level radiation doses may manifested in future over a lifetime exposure of 70 years as indicated by the ELCR values. Keywords: Background ionizing radiation, Dose rate, Annual effective dose, Quarry site, Ebonyi State