Assessment of Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk from Naturally Occuring Radioactive Materials in Soil Samples of Maiganga Mining Site, North-Eastern, Nigeria

Abstract

Aims: The activities of coal mining exploration in Maiganga leads to environmental and health concerns due to the presence of naturally occurring radionuclides. The potential health risks associated with exposure to natural radionuclides in soil require thorough and constant investigation. The study evaluated the activity concentrations of some selected radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and assessed excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) in soil samples of Maiganga mining site. Study Design: This study, was designed to evaluate the activity concentrations of some selected radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) and assessed excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) in soil samples. Place and Duration of Study: Maiganga mining site, North-Eastern Nigeria between November 2024 and October 2025. Methodology: A total of ten (10) soil samples were systematically collected within the mine sites. Using energy dispersive x-ray fluorescence (ED-XRF) spectroscopic technique, the activity concentrations of some selected radionuclides (226Ra, 232Th and 40K) were determined. Results: The results showed that, the activity concentrations of 40K was 241.01 Bqkg-1 while 226Ra and 232Th were below the limit of detection. The analysis of radiation risk parameters (Raeq, D, AEDE, AGDE, Hex, Hin and ELCR) were found to be: 43.51 Bqkg-1, 21.43 nGyh-1, 0.03 mSvy-1, 151.03 µSvy-1, 0.12, 0.14 and respectively. Conclusion: The study concludes that, the study area is radiologically safe for both workers and the general public; since the radiation risk parameters were found to be below the recommended threshold values. Hence, continuous radiological assessment of the mining site is recommended to keep the potential radiation hazards as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA).