An Investigation on the Radiation Hazards Associated with the Use of Abakaliki Pyroclastic from Southeastern Nigeria as Construction Materials

Dr. Chijioke M. Amakom; Okechukwu P. Aghamelu

An Investigation on the Radiation Hazards Associated with the Use of Abakaliki Pyroclastic from Southeastern Nigeria as Construction Materials

Dr. Chijioke M. Amakom * §

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Okechukwu P. Aghamelu

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§ Caritas University, Enugu

An Investigation on the Radiation Hazards Associated with the Use of Abakaliki Pyroclastic from Southeastern Nigeria as Construction Materials

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Abstract

This paper presents an investigation on the health risks that may be associated with pyroclastic rocks when used as construction materials. Radionuclides in the pyroclastic rocks from the Abakaliki and Ezillo areas (both in Ebonyi State, Southeastern Nigeria) were assessed. Data show that the uranium concentration in the pyroclastic rocks vary from 1 -3 ppm (or 0.01 -0.03 Bq.g-1) for the Abakaliki area, and 2 -5 ppm (or 0.02 -0.05 Bq.g-1) for the Ezillo area. The Radium equivalent activity of the Abakaliki pyroclastics varied from 20.0 -62.90 mBq.g-1 while that of Ezillo varied from 62.9 -145.8 mBq.g-1. A comparison with the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) recommended standard (that Radium equivalent activity in building materials must be below 370 Bq.kg-1 or 0.37 Bq.g-1) suggests that the radium equivalent activity for the pyroclastics from both areas in the southeastern Nigeria were all well below the maximum permissible level for dwelling homes. This therefore implies that they are safe, health wise, as construction materials for residential buildings.

References

19 Cites in Article

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Funding

No external funding was declared for this work.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Ethical Approval

No ethics committee approval was required for this article type.

Data Availability

Not applicable for this article.

How to Cite This Article

Dr. Amakom, Okechukwu Aghamelu, Dr. Amakom. 2013. "An Investigation on the Radiation Hazards Associated with the Use of Abakaliki Pyroclastic from Southeastern Nigeria as Construction Materials". Global Journal of Science Frontier Research, Global Journal of Science Frontier Research - A: Physics & Space Science GJSFR-A Volume 13 (GJSFR Volume 13 Issue A2).

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GJSFR Volume 13 Issue A2

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Journal Specifications

Crossref Journal DOI 10.17406/GJSFR

Print ISSN 0975-5896

e-ISSN 2249-4626

Keywords

construction material health hazards Nigeria pyroclastics radionuclides recommended level

Classification

GJSFR-A Classification FOR Code: 111208

879999p

Submission ReceivedJanuary 26, 2013
Peer Review Double Blind
Handling Editor
Accepted February 16, 2013
Published February 27, 2013

Version of record

v1.2

Issue date

March 7, 2013

Language

English

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Total Score: 151

Country: Nigeria

Subject: Global Journal of Science Frontier Research

Authors: Dr. Chijioke M. Amakom, Okechukwu P. Aghamelu (PhD/Dr. count: 1)

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Publish Date: 2013 02, Wed

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