Determination of Radon Concentration in Selected Groundwater Sources in Obajana, Kogi State
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Abstract
Increasing incidences of Radon concentration in groundwater has gained ascendency as a key challenge for radiation safeguards in recent years, especially as radon is a known carcinogenic gas in humans and is present in some groundwater sources. Obajana as an important industrial town in Kogi state lies in geologic formation that may be sources of radon pollution for groundwater. This study was therefore conducted to appraise the activity concentration of Radon-222 in water accessible from hand-dug wells and boreholes within the study location. Seven (7) samples from hand-dug wells and three (3) from boreholes were obtained from the area using standard sampling collection and preparation methodology and analyzed in the laboratory by means of liquid scintillation counter (LSC). Radon activity concentration and annual effective dose for the study area were evaluated empirically. Findings showed the mean Radon concentration of the well and borehole water to be 24.89 and 26.66 respectively, which is above the upper tolerable limit of 11.1 by USEPA (USEPA, 1991) and the world average value of 10 Bq/L by UNSCEAR and WHO (UNSCEAR, 1998; 2000; WHO, 1993; 2004; 2008; 2009; 2011). Furthermore, the mean Annual Effective Dose (AED) due to human intake of Radon-222 were found to be 0.18 mSv/y and 0.19 mSv/y in well and borehole water respectively. The mean annual effective doses for water samples from both sources were found to be above WHO recommended reference level of 0.10 mSv/y (WHO, 1993; 2004; 2008; 2009; 2011) for intake of radionuclide in water. These results have implication for Obajana residents as they are not safe from radiologic related health hazards and long-term consumption of groundwater without proper prior treatment should be discouraged within the study area.
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