Radioactivity Measurements of Soil Samples from the Excavation Sites at Onyeama Hill (Ugwu – Onyeama) Enugu, Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

The use of materials from the earth’s crust for building and other purposes such paint making is a source of concern due to natural radiations emanating from them. This exposes human dwellers to worrisome levels of radiation and cause a lot of health risks when the permissible limit is exceeded. This study assessed the radioactivity level of the Onyeama hill excavation sites by measuring the activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ²²⁶Ra and ²³²Th in soils sourced from six excavation sites at Onyeama hill, using gamma – ray spectrometry with Sodium Iodide (NaITl) detector. The soil samples were randomly collected at six excavation locations and taken to the laboratory for preparations and measurements. Results showed average activity concentrations in Bq/kg ranges from (125.08±5.8 – 158.4±5.8 Bq/kg) for ⁴⁰K, (18.9± 3.4 - 39.3±3.3 Bq/kg) for ²²⁶Ra and (22.1±1.7 – 36.8±1.6 Bq/kg) for ²³²Th, with mean radioactivity level of less than unity, showing that soils from the sites are safe when used for building construction and other purposes.