O. E. Agbalagba ¹, R. K. Meindinyo ²

Affiliations
1 University of Port Harcourt, NG
2 Bayelsa State College of Education, Okpoma, Bayelsa State, NG

Abstract

A six years of radiation impact assessment in an oil spillage environment and the host communities in Ughelli region of delta state have been conducted, using a digilert nuclear radiation monitor meter and a geographical positioning system (GPS). Measurements were made in 20 sites, 6 host communities and a control sample spread across the affected area. Measured average location values ranged between 0.010 mRh^-1 (0.532 mSv y^-1) to 0.019 mRh^-1(1.010 mSv y^-1). The yearly exposure rate ranged between 0.013±0.006 mRh^-1(0.692±0.080 mSvy^-1) to 0.016±0.005 mRh^-1 (0.851±0.100 mSv y^-1) in the oil spillage area. The host communities' values ranged between 0.011 mRh^-1(0.585 mSv y^-1) to 0.015 mRh^-1(0.798 mSv y^-1) with an average value of 0.010 mRh^-1(0.532 mSv y^-1) recorded at the control sample. The radiation levels within these oil spillage areas and the host communities were of 55% and 33.3% respectively above the normal background level of 0.013 mRh^-1. The average equivalent dose rate obtained was higher than the 0.478 ηSv/y normal background level but was within the safe limit of 0.05 Sv y^-1 recommended by ICRP and NCRP. These values obtained will not pose any immediate radiological health hazard to the host communities and workers within this environment.

Keywords

Radiological Impact, Oil Spillage, well 13 & 19, Ughelli Region

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