International Journal of Physics

and Research (IJPR)

ISSN(P): 2250-0030; ISSN(E): 2319-4499
Vol. 5, Issue 1, Feb 2015, 33-40
TJPRC Pvt. Ltd.

TERRESTRIAL GAMMA DOSE RATES AT OBAJANA CEMENT

FACTORY IN KOGI STATE, NIGERIA
G. A. ISOLA & O. MONI
Department of Pure and Applied Physics, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
The study focused Obajana, Oyo, Apata and Iwa communities found within the vicinity of Obajana cement
factory located in Kogi state, north central of Nigeria. The risk from the influx and other impacts on the local communities
can be properly mitigated. Four radionuclides ( 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs) have been analyzed in the soil samples collected
from the communities by a sensitive gamma-ray spectroscopic system consisting of a 7.6cm x 7.6cm Nal(Tl) scintillation
detector interfaced with Canberra series 10 plus multichannel analyzer. Results obtained showed that the radionuclides are
present in varying concentrations in the soil with the ranges 28.92+2.2Bq/kg in Apata to 47.281.68Bq/kg, in
Obajana.22.592.56Bq/kg in Iwa to 27.262.18Bq/kg Obajana and 114.893.16Bq/kg in Iwa to 302.972.7Bq/kg in
Obajana respectively, except

137

Cs which was detected only at a particular area where Lorries are parked. Further study

will be needed to verify and clarify its origin. Absorb dose rate and annual effective dose rate due to these radionuclides
are in the range 42.682.3 to 53.492.18nGy/h and 46.183.19 to 62.922.08Sv/y. These results are within the
UNSCEAR recommended world average value.

KEYWORDS: Terrestrial Gamma Dose Rates, Obajana, Oyo, (238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs)
INTRODUCTION
The distribution of external exposure due to terrestrial radiation in a giving place depends on the geographical
characteristics of that place. These assessment of radionuclide,s in our environment in many part of the world has been on
the increase because of the hazard they pose to the health of populace (Mc Aulay and Morgan) Human beings are exposing
to ionizing radiation from numerous source in the environment, such as cosmic rays and natural radionuclide source in soil,
air, water and building materials. Calculation by [Beck, 1972] suggested that 50-80% of the total gamma flux at the earths
surfaces arises from natural origin, the major contributors being the naturally occurring radioactive elements of the
uranium and thorium series and non-series radioactive potassium represent the main source of irradiation of the human
body and contribute to the total absorbed dose via ingestion, inhalation and external irradiation [Steinhausler, 1992]. Hence
the objective of this study is to evaluate the radioactivity concentrations as well as environmental outdoor gamma dose
rates and annual effective dose equivalent within the vicinity of Obajana cement factory in Kogi state, Nigeria, that was
established in 1992. The two major raw materials in the production of cement, limestone and shale are of geological origin
and they are known to contain some natural radioactive elements such as 40K,238U, 232Th and the fallout radionuclide

137

Cs

which is an additional serious environmental contamination. It is envisage that the by-product resulting from the process of
cement production may find ways into the underground water systems or settle on the soil surface that could represent
direct and indirect path ways to man. Obajana cement factory is known for its largest producer of cement in Nigeria. Until
now, there has not been a comprehensive study evaluating background radiation levels in Obajana
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34

G. A. Isola & O. Moni

Figure 1

STUDY AREA
The study areas are Obajana, Oyo, Apata and Iwa communities, Kogi State of Nigeria where cement factory was
cited for more than two decades. Its geographical location lies between latitude 7.55-9.57N and Longitude 6.25-49.26E.
The physiographic of the study area is that of extensive highland that is gently sloping. Below is the depicted shown the
study area.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Samples were collected between 2-10km distance from the factory. This distance was considered so as to ensure
that radionuclides detected in the samples were due to the influence of the industry in the areas under investigation and any
possible leaching of radionuclides materials would be captured. A total of 80 soil samples have been collected for analyses.
20 soil samples from each of the community using composite sampling. This method provides an excellent estimate of the
mean concentration for the sampling area, without providing any information about the variation within that area
(EPA, 1992).
The collected samples were dried at room temperature to a constant weight; this is in a bid to avoid any external
factors that might alter the natural contents of the samples. They were further sieved through a 2mm sieve, and
hermetically sealed in a suitable container and stored for 28days to ensure secular equilibrium with their respective
progeny. After secular equilibrium was attained, the sealed samples were each counted in a well calibrated NaI (TI) and
well shielded detector couple to a computer resident quantum MCA2100R Multichannel analyzer for 36,000s. An empty
container under identical geometry was also counted for the same time. The1460KeV gamma-radiation of 40K was used to
determine the concentration of 40K in the sample. The gamma transition energy of 1764.5KeV
the concentration of
232

Th while

137

238

U while the gamma transition energy of 2614KeV

214

Bi was used to determine

208

TI was used to determine the concentration of

Cs was detected by its 661.6KeV gamma transition and its activity concentration is about 1Bq/kg. Further

study will be needed to verify and clarify its origin.

The efficiency calibration of the detector was done using a reference standard mixed source traceable to
Analytical Quality Control Services (AQCS, USA), which has certified activities of the selected radionuclides and has a
geometrical configuration identical to sample container. The detector was set inside a massive old lead shied of10cm thick,
to reduce background radiation. The activity concentration of the radionuclides in the samples were calculated after decay
Impact Factor (JCC): 1.9845

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

35

Terrestrial Gamma Dose Rates at Obajana Cement Factory in Kogi State, Nigeria

correction using the expression

Ac =

(1)

Where, A is the activity concentration of the radionuclides in Bq/kg in the samples, M sam is the mass of sample
(kg), Nsam is the sample net counts in the peak range, fE is the gamma emission probability, Tc is the counting time and (E)
is the photopeak efficiency.
The Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) for each radionuclide,

238

232

Th and

40

K was calculated using the

following equation

(2)
Where, 1.645 is the statistical coverage factor at 95% confidence level, N B is the background counts at the region
of interest, tc is the counting time, fE is the gamma emission probability, (E) is the photopeak efficiency and M is the mass
of sample. The MDA for each of the radionuclides were calculated as 0.30Bq/kg for 238U, 0.12 Bq/kg for 226Ra, 0.11 Bq/kg
for 232Th and 0.9 Bq/kg for 40K respectively.
Table 1: Radionuclide Concentrations in the Soil Samples (Bqkg -1) at Obajana Community
S/No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Sample Location
OB1
OB2
OB3
OB4
OB5
OB6
OB7
OB8
OB9
OB10
OB11
OB12
OB13
OB14
OB15
OB16
OB17
OB18
OB19
OB20
MEAN

40

K
109.36+2.7
342.31+1.4
312.44+3.2
410.62+3.9
340.16+2.3
109.36+2.7
342.31+1.4
312.44+3.2
410.62+3.9
340.16+2.3
109.36+2.7
342.31+1.4
312.44+3.2
410.62+3.9
340.16+2.3
109.36+2.7
342.31+1.4
312.44+3.2
410.62+3.9
340.16+2.3
302.97+2.7

238

U
84.06+1.4
50.44+2.3
53.45+1.2
25.14+1.0
23.31+2.5
84.06+1.4
50.44+2.3
53.45+1.2
25.14+1.0
23.31+2.5
84.06+1.4
50.44+2.3
53.45+1.2
25.14+1.0
23.31+2.5
84.06+1.4
50.44+2.3
53.45+1.2
25.14+1.0
23.31+2.5
47.28+1.68

232

Th
26.92+3.0
30.06+1.9
24.14+2.2
34.50+1.7
20.70+2.1
26.92+3.0
30.06+1.9
24.14+2.2
34.50+1.7
20.70+2.1
26.92+3.0
30.06+1.9
24.14+2.2
34.50+1.7
20.70+2.1
26.92+3.0
30.06+1.9
24.14+2.2
34.50+1.7
20.70+2.1
27.26+2.18

137

CS
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
14.31+1.3
21.32+2.3
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL

Table 2: Radionuclide Concentration in the Soil Samples (Bqkg-1) at OYO Community

S/No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
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Sample Location
OY1
OY2
OY3
OY4
OY5
OY6

40

K
282.32+4.4
193.14+2.2
380.96+3.4
432.02+3.6
104.20+2.4
282.32+4.4

238

U
42.33+1.5
45.54+2.0
51.45+2.1
25.30+2.4
29.50+1.1
42.33+1.5

232

Th
17.44+1.3
38.36+2.4
18.12+1.6
28.01+1.2
30.55+1.1
17.44+1.3

137

CS
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
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36

G. A. Isola & O. Moni

7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

OY7
OY8
OY9
OY10
OY11
OY12
OY13
OY14
OY15
OY16
OY17
OY18
OY19
OY20
MEAN

Table 2: Contd.,
193.14+2.2
45.54+2.0
380.96+3.4
51.45+2.1
432.02+3.6
25.30+2.4
104.20+2.4
29.50+1.1
282.32+4.4
42.33+1.5
193.14+2.2
45.54+2.0
380.96+3.4
51.45+2.1
432.02+3.6
25.30+2.4
104.20+2.4
29.50+1.1
282.32+4.4
42.33+1.5
193.14+2.2
45.54+2.0
380.96+3.4
51.45+2.1
432.02+3.6
25.30+2.4
104.20+2.4
29.50+1.1
278.52+3.2
38.82+1.82

38.36+2.4
18.12+1.6
28.01+1.2
30.55+1.1
17.44+1.3
38.36+2.4
18.12+1.6
28.01+1.2
30.55+1.1
17.44+1.3
38.36+2.4
18.12+1.6
28.01+1.2
30.55+1.1
26.49+1.52

BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL

Table 3: Radionuclide Concentration in the Soil Samples (Bqkg-1) at APATA Community

S/NO
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Sample Location
AP1
AP2
AP3
AP4
AP5
AP6
AP7
AP8
AP9
AP10
AP11
AP12
AP13
AP14
AP15
AP16
AP17
AP18
AP19
AP20
MEAN

40

K
101.10+2.3
362.98+4.4
258.91+2.0
241.53+2.0
288.11+1.8
101.10+2.3
362.98+4.4
258.91+2.0
241.53+2.0
288.11+1.8
101.10+2.3
362.98+4.4
258.91+2.0
241.53+2.0
288.11+1.8
101.10+2.3
362.98+4.4
258.91+2.0
241.53+2.0
288.11+1.8
236.73+2.9

238

U
12.30+3.0
28.12+1.8
22.40+1.4
38.77+2.6
43.04+2.2
12.30+3.0
28.12+1.8
22.40+1.4
38.77+2.6
43.04+2.2
12.30+3.0
28.12+1.8
22.40+1.4
38.77+2.6
43.04+2.2
12.30+3.0
28.12+1.8
22.40+1.4
38.77+2.6
43.04+2.2
28.92+2.2

232

Th
16.55+3.4
26.92+1.8
40.44+3.2
24.08+2.2
20.14+1.5
16.55+3.4
26.92+1.8
40.44+3.2
24.08+2.2
20.14+1.5
16.55+3.4
26.92+1.8
40.44+3.2
24.08+2.2
20.14+1.5
16.55+3.4
26.92+1.8
40.44+3.2
24.08+2.2
20.14+1.5
25.62+2.42

137

CS
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL

Table 4: Radionuclide Concentration in the Soil Samples (Bqkg-1) At IWA Community

S/No
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Sample Location
IW1
IW2
IW3
IW4
IW5
IW6
IW7
IW8
IW9
IW10
IW11
IW12

Impact Factor (JCC): 1.9845

40

K
118.22+3.1
124.54+1.8
144.68+3.4
88.63+5.4
98.42+2.1
118.22+3.1
124.54+1.8
144.68+3.4
88.63+5.4
98.42+2.1
118.22+3.1
124.54+1.8

238

U
58.40+1.2
22.00+3.2
66.10+0.9
38.50+1.3
20.66+2.6
58.40+1.2
22.00+3.2
66.10+0.9
38.50+1.3
20.66+2.6
58.40+1.2
22.00+3.2

232

Th
26.48+2.5
18.60+2.0
22.40+3.5
14.80+2.8
30.70+2.0
26.48+2.5
18.60+2.0
22.40+3.5
14.80+2.8
30.70+2.0
26.48+2.5
18.60+2.0

137

CS
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

37

Terrestrial Gamma Dose Rates at Obajana Cement Factory in Kogi State, Nigeria

13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

Table 4: Contd.,
144.68+3.4
66.10+0.9
88.63+5.4
38.50+1.3
98.42+2.1
20.66+2.6
118.22+3.1
58.40+1.2
124.54+1.8
22.00+3.2
144.68+3.4
66.10+0.9
88.63+5.4
38.50+1.3
98.42+2.1
20.66+2.6
114.89+3.16
41.12+1.84

IW13
IW14
IW15
IW16
IW17
IW18
IW19
IW20
MEAN

22.40+3.5
14.80+2.8
30.70+2.0
26.48+2.5
18.60+2.0
22.40+3.5
14.80+2.8
30.70+2.0
22.59+2.56

BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL
BDL

Figure 2: Comparison of Activities Ratios of the Radionuclides for the Communities Investigated
Table 5: Absorbed Does Rate (D) and Annual Effective Dose Equivalent (AEDE)
S/N
A
B
C
D

Sample Location
OBAJANA
OYO
IWA
APATA

(D) (nGyh-1)
53.49+2.18
47.49+2.18
40.181+2.52
42.68+2.3

AEDE (Svy-1)
62.92+2.08
56.14+2.64
46.18+3.19
49.52+3.27

Calculation of the Absorbed Dose Rate

The external terrestrial

absorbed dose rate in air at a height of about 1m above the ground was

calculated by using the conversion factor of 0.0414nGy-1/BqKg-1 for

-1

Gyh-1/BqKg for

232

Th (UNSCEAR,1993) assuming that

137

Cs,

90

40

K, 0.461nGyh-1/Bq-1 for

Sr and the

226

Ra, and 0.623n

235

U decay series can be neglected as they

contribute very little to the total dose from environmental background (Kocher andSjoreen,1985; Jacob et al..1986; Leung
et al..1990).
D(nGyh-1) =0.461CRa +0.623CTh+0.0414Ck (3)
Where, CRa,CTh and Ck are the activity concentrations (Bqkg-1) of radium, thorium and potassium in the samples.
Calculation of Annual Effective Dose
Annual estimated average effective doe equivalent received by a member was calculated using a conversion factor
of 0.7SvGy-1, which was used to convert the absorbed rate to human effective dose equivalent with an outdoor occupancy
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38

G. A. Isola & O. Moni

of 20

and 80

for indoor (UNSCEAR,1993)

The annual effective doses were determined as bellows:

lndoor(nSv) = (Absorbed Dose)nGyh-1 x 8760hx0.8x0.7SvGy-1

(4)

Outdoor(nSv) = (Absorbed Dose)nGyh-1 x8760hx0.2x0.7SvGy-1

(5)

RESULTS
Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4 showned number of data entries for each communities, the results for gamma analysis for 40K,
238

U, and 232Th concentration values and their averages as well as absorbed dose rate and its mean. 40K mean concentration

in soil was found to vary from 302.97+2.7Bqkg-1 in Obajana to 114.89+3.16Bqkg-1 in Iwa. For
-1

238

U, the mean ranged

-1

from47.28+1.68Bqkg in Obajana to 28.92+2.2Bqkg in Apata. The studys mean concentrations for 232Th vary from
27.26+2.18Bqkg-1 in Obajana to 22.59+2.56Bqkg-1 in Iwa. The mean concentration values of Sk, Su, and STh for 40K,
and

232

238

Th in the four communities as presented in table1to tabie4 respectfully were substituted in equation 3 above gave the

absorb dose rate due to the three primordial radionuclides varying from 40.18+2.52nG/h in Iwa to 53.49+2.18nG/h in
Obajana. Annual effective dose equivalent in the study was calculated to be in the range 46.18+3.19Svy-1 to
62.92+2.08Svy-1 using equation 4.

DISCUSSIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated that annual effective dose equivalent due to human activities and terrestrial gamma radiation
range from 46.18 +3.19 to 62.92 +2.08Svy-1 with mean----------is lower compare with world average of 70.0Svy-1.
The analyzed vicinity of the resided industry are not considered to be radiological hazards for the local population. Hence
the data obtained in this work can reliably serve as base line data for the assessment of any future environmental
radioactivity contamination or pollution from any fallout in respect of dose rate.

REFERENCES
1.

Beck, H. L, Decompo, J. and Gologak, J. In-situ Ge(Li) and Nal(T) Gamma Ray Spectrometry. HASL-258 (1992),

2.

Beck, H. L, (1972), The Physics of Environmental Gamma Radiation Fields, Natural Radiation Environmental 11,
Coheswan, Canada. CONF-720805P2. In Proceeding of the Second International Symposium on the Natural
Radiation Environment, 101-133.

3.

EPA (2006) Approved Methods for Radionuclides. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D. C.

4.

Jacob, P, Paretzke, H. G, Rosenbaum, H, Zankl, M, 1986. Effective dose equivalents for photon exposure from
plane sources on the ground. Radiat. Prot. Dosim 14, 299-310.

5.

Kocher, D. C, Sjoreen, A. L. 1985, Dose-rtae conversion factors for external exposure to photon emitters in soil.
Health Phys. 48, 193-205.

6.

Leung, K. C, Lau, S. Y, Poon, C. B, 1990. Gamma radiation dose from radionuclides in Hong Kong Soils.
J Environ Radioact 11, 279-290.

7.

Mc Aulay I. R. and Morgan, D, Natural Radioactivity in soils in the Republic of Ireland, Radait. Prot.

Impact Factor (JCC): 1.9845

Index Copernicus Value (ICV): 3.0

Terrestrial Gamma Dose Rates at Obajana Cement Factory in Kogi State, Nigeria

39

Dosimetry 24 (1/4), 47-49. 1988.

8.

ICPR 60. Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection. ICPR Publication 60.
Annals of the ICPR Pergamon Press, Oxford, UK, 1990.

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Steinhausler, F, 1992. The Natural radiation environment: Future perspective. Radiation Protection Dosimetry,
45: , 19-23.

10. United Nations Scientific Committee on Effects of Atomic Radiations (UNSCEAR) 1993. Sources, effects and
Risks of Ionizing Radiations. Report, UN, New York

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