Environmental radioactivity around a mining site and its impact on the populace within specified distances from the site in southwest Nigeria

Abstract

In this study, we quantify specific activity of 238U, 232Th, and 40K, from soils, water, and vegetables around limestone mining sites because of the dense urban settlement with high agricultural activities around the area. Annual effective dose (AED) was evaluated and used to estimate radiological hazard impact. Mean values of internal radiation hazard index (Hin) for soils, water, and vegetation are calculated and compared with those from literatures. The estimated mean excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was obtained, too. The values of ELCR are under the world average value as recommended by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) one of the world regulatory bodies. For this reason, health related issues may occur at long time of living in this environment.