Teresterial Background Ionizing Radiation around Lead/Zinc Mining Site in Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background ionizing radiation around Lead/Zinc mining sites at Ishiagu, Ebonyi State was carried out using appropriate equipment. The background ionizing radiation of the environment was determined by measuring the radiation exposure rates using Radalert-200 and Geographical Positioning System (GPS). Radiological health parameters and effective dose to different organs of the body was estimated. The average exposure rate of 0.00017mSv/h (0.017mR/h) measured was relatively higher than the world acceptable value of 0.00013mSv/h (0.013mR/h ). All the radiological risk parameters estimated are relatively high. The result of this work shows that the mining µactivities have enhanced the radiation level of Ishiagu and health status of the populace.