Radionuclide Content of Aerosols within the Lower Atmosphere of Major Towns in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Radioactivity analysis of aerosols within the lower atmosphere of some selected towns in Plateau state, North central Nigeria was carried out using Respirable Dust sampler (APM 460NL) and Gamma Ray Spectroscopy technique to ascertain their radiological safety and radiation dose to the general public. The mean mass concentration of fine (PM2.5) and coarse (PM10) aerosols were found to be 234.4 and 390.6 (ug/m³) respectively for Pankshin; 381.3 and 312.5  (ug/m³) respectively for Shendam, and 208.3 and 250.0   (ug/m³) for Jos. The mean activity concentration of Potassium- 40, Radium-226 and Thorium-232 in the selected towns were found to be 510.82,52.16 and 29.76 Bq/kg respectively. Average values of the following radiological parameter Da, AEDE, HEX and AGED were 4.3439 nGy/yr, 0.0053MSv/yr,0.025Bq/kg, and 30.3470 mSv/yr respectively.The activity concentration of Potassium-40 was beyond the permissible limit at Shandan while that of Radium-226 was beyond the set limit in Jos and Pankshin. The concentration of Thorium-232 in the study areas was below permissible limit. Continuous exposure to these radionuclides and their progenies including their synergetic effects with trace metals in the aerosols may pose several risk to public health. This work is useful in regional environmental radiation monitoring and is part of efforts geared towards generating baseline data for environmental radioactivity levels within North Central Nigeria .