Estimation of Background Radioactivity around a Goldmine Deposit and the Probability of a Resultant Cancer Risk

Ibikunle Sunday Babatunde

Abstract: Humans are exposed to radiation in their environment with or without their consent; and the exposure to natural background radiation is an unpreventable event on earth. This study has estimated the background nuclear radiation in Iperindo town as a result of some mining activities from the surrounding goldmine deposit using the radiation scanner 500VBR. In each location, at least 5 readings were taken in order to ensure reliability of data. The mean absorbed dose rate in air was estimated to be 165.30±22.02 nGy/hr. the annual effective dose rate was estimated at a value 0.301±0.040 mSv/yr while the excess lifetime cancer risk for the study area is (1.201±0.160) x10-3. This value is higher than the world average of 0.29 x 10-3 and implies that there is a significant risk excess lifetime cancer in the study area. This work can be used as a baseline research data for further research work, serving as reference for dosimetry in the event of futuristic action against the menace of harmful radiation.

Keywords: Goldmine, Radiation, Iperindo, Dosimetry, Cancer risk