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Assessment of Radon-222 Concentration in Some Selected Borehole and Well Water Sources in Boki Local Government Area, Cross River State, Nigeria |
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PP: 7-14 |
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doi:10.18576/jrna/110102
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Author(s) |
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Obim Agnes Banku,
Idris Mustapha Muhammed,
Abubakar Abdullahi Mundi,
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Abstract |
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| Radon originates from the radioactive decay of naturally occurring uranium and radium deposits found in trace amounts in soil and rocks. The geology of Boki Local Government Area revealed that the area is surrounded with rocks, hills and it is also enriched in clay soil, there is high tendency of radon-222 contamination in the drinking water in the area because clay soil tends to have higher radium concentration and lower porosity, which can lead to greater radon accumulation, which in turn leaches into the drinking water of the inhabitants. This study aims to assess radon-222 concentration in some selected borehole and well water sources in the Boki local government area, Cross River state. Twenty (20) water samples were collected from twenty (20) communities in the study area. The samples were analysed using a liquid scintillation counter as a radon-222 detector. The results showed that the mean radon-222 concentration in the study area is 3.81 Bq/L. The mean Annual Effective Dose (AED) for both inhalation and ingestion was calculated and found to be 0.000094 mSv/yr and 0.9308 mSv/yr, respectively. The Excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) for inhalation and ingestion was calculated, and the results are 0.000364 mSv/yr and 3.258 mSv/yr, respectively. The results for the activity of radon-222 concentration, AED, and ELCR are found to be within the recommended dose limit of 10 Bq/L, 0.1 mSv/yr, and 3 mSv/yr, respectively. The drinking water in the study area is safe because it is below the WHO-recommended limit. However, the accumulation of radon-222 over time can exceed the recommended dose limits. The result recommended that proper radon concentration monitoring should be conducted from time to time on the study areas in order to protect the inhabitants.
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