Human Internal Exposure Due to Radionuclides Levels in Foodstuffs Grown Using Fertilizer in Jos Nigeria

The activity concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides in food samples grown with fertilizer in an elevated radiation background area of Jos, Nigeria were determined using gamma-ray spectrometry. The present study investigated the impact of Sulphate of ammonia fertilizer on foodstuffs samples. Sixty foodstuffs samples from fields cultivated with fertilizer in tin mining area were collected and analyzed for the activity concentrations of 40K, 226Ra, 232Th employing gamma spectrometry. In the same vein, similarly analysis was undertaken in sixty samples grown with commonly primitive methods without fertilizer. The annual effective doses in the foodstuffs were deduced. The calculated values for foodstuffs grown with fertilizer were 9.2-188, 0.03-0.51 and 0.02-0.22 µSv y-1 for 40K, 226Ra, 232Th. For foodstuffs grown without fertilizer application, the values were 2.7-146, 0-0.43 and 0.01-0.24 µSv y-1. Based on ICRP recommendation, the level of radionuclides in the foodstuffs grown with fertilizer in tin mining area of the city will not constitute and radiological burden to the populace.

Keywords:

Foodstuffs, Tin Fertilizer, Radioactivity, Jos Nigeria,

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