Assessing Ionizing Radiation Exposure Risks to Human Health in Wadi-B, Jere Oil Exploration Areas, Borno State, Nigeria
Ionizing radiation, emanating from decaying nuclides, poses potential biological harm to
human organs. Wadi B, a village within the Jere local government area of Borno State, Nigeria,
is currently undergoing oil exploration activities. This study was conducted to evaluate the
outdoor gamma radiation levels at the Wadi B oil exploration site. Utilizing a portable hand
dosimeter (Radiation Alert Inspector), gamma exposure levels (GEL) were measured across
sixteen (16) spots within the exploration site. Results revealed that the gamma exposure levels
measured in the boreholes FYM (1 to 8), range from 0.17- 0.27 Mr/hr, with an average of 0.21
Mr/hr while, the levels around the wells FYM (9 to 16) vary from 0.14- 0.25 Mr/hr, with an
average of 0.18 Mr/hr. The estimated annual effective dose (AED) varied from 0.24528 to
0.47304 ?Sv/yr, averaging at 0.3460 ?Sv/yr. Notably, the average values of Total Dissolved
Solids (TDS), Conductivity, and Gamma radiation exceeded the recommended limits
established by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2006), which are 400 ?S/cm for
conductivity, (50-150) ppm for TDS, and 0.002 mR/hr for radiation doses, respectively.
However, the calculated Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) values were lower than the
proposed world average level of 70 ?Sv/yr by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the
Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). This study suggests a heightened risk of exposure
to outdoor ionizing radiation among inhabitants residing near the study locations.