Radiotoxicity risks of radium-226 (226Ra) on groundwater-based drinking at Dawaki, Kuje, Giri and Sabon-Lugbe area of Abuja, North Central Nigeria

• Main Authors: Maxwell, O., Wagiran, H., Zaidi, E., Joel, E. S., Tenebe, I. T., Oha, I. A., Onwuka, O. S.
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer Verlag 2016
• Subjects: QC Physics
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/72378/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84978864619&doi=10.1007%2fs12665-016-5884-y&partnerID=40&md5=b0b84b38705c6f380109aa2a4a7a5ddb

In this study, 226Ra and heavy metal concentrations were studied to represent the radiotoxicity risk of groundwater of Abuja, North Central Nigeria. Groundwater samples were collected from five areas in Abuja, and measurements were taken by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Radium (226Ra) concentrations were determined from 0.067 to 0.216 µg/L. The mean annual effective dose from the natural radionuclide of 226Ra for the inhabitants was estimated to be 2.2 × 10−5 mSv. In addition, life average daily dose and cancer mortality risk were calculated. As a result, radiological risks of 226Ra in groundwater are quite low, typically in the magnitude of 10−7 when compared with the international reference dose level.