Assessment on Radiation Hazard Indices from Selected Dumpsites in Lafia Metropolis, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

This research reports an assessment of ionizing radiation in some chosen Dumpsites in Lafia Local government area of Nasarawa State. Ionizing radiation measurement was conducted at four Dump sites. The survey was done using a radiation survey meter (Radex one Outdoor 55130719 NA). Radiation exposure rate in micro sievert per hour (μSvhr-1) was measured. Readings were taken by placing the detector at gonad level about 1 meter above the ground. Result showed that the average annual effective dose rate in the selected dumpsites were 0.22 mSv/yr for Lafia modern market, 0.17 mSv/yr for dumpsite opposite governor Isa house, 0.15 mSv/yr for Timber shade Lafia and 0.20 mSv/yrfor Science School Lafia respectively with a mean value of 0.19 mSv/yr for all location, while the mean calculated excess life cancer risk (ELCR) is 0.65 x 10-3.Dumpsites yearly absorbed dose rate and their corresponding ELCR values did not exceed the 1.0 mSv/y Basic Safety Standard set for the masses by International Council on Radiation Protection (ICRP, 1999) and mean world average ECLR value of 1.16 x 10-3. Based on these results there are no radiation consequence to the scavengers, dumpsite workers and residents living around the dumpsites.