Public Health Risk Implication of Gross Alpha and Beta Radioactivity Concentrations in Drinkable Water Sources in Niger Delta

Abstract

Abstract The evaluation of Public health risk implication of gross alpha and beta radioactivity concentrations in drinkable water of the southern coastline communities was analysed using gas flow proportional counter. A total of 90 liters of river water sampled from 15 communities across southern coastline Niger Delta were prepared and analyzed according to standard procedures. The mean gross alpha and beta activities concentrations obtained are 0.44 ± 0.14Bql− 1 and 15.65 ± 0.77Bql− 1 respectively. The mean total annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) obtained are 2.3040 mSv/yr, 4.2049 mSv/yr and 8.4097 mSv/yr, total Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose (AGED) are 11.2192 mSv/yr, 20.4752 mSv/yr and 40.9571 mSv/yr, total annual committed effective dose (CEDE) are 2.1841 mSv/yr, 3.9858 mSv/yr and 7.9719 mSv/yr and total adults Excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) is 29.43405mSv/yr for different age groups respectively. Both the gross alpha and beta activities values obtained and its computed radiological hazard risk indexes exceeded recommended permissible limit respectively. These high values can be attributed to hydrocarbon activates and oil vandals activates taking place in the area. However, adequate remediation should be done on the water body, produced water and other radiological waste should be treated properly before discharge into the river water and the environment to reduce radiological concentration in the communities’ drinking water.