Determination of natural radionuclides in abattoir wastes and sediments from rivers and streams around selected abattoirs in Southwest Nigeria
by Nnamdi N. Jibiri; Omoniyi M. Isinkaye; Oluwafemi A. Ilori; Akindayo A. Sowunmi
International Journal of Low Radiation (IJLR), Vol. 10, No. 2, 2015

Abstract: The concentrations of natural radionuclides in abattoir wastes and sediments of streams and rivers around selected abattoirs in Southwestern Nigeria have been measured using gamma-ray spectrometry. In abattoir wastes, the activity concentrations obtained in cow-dung samples are higher than those obtained in blood and bone ash samples. For sediment, the mean activity concentration of ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th obtained is 290.04 ± 156.84, 22.02 ± 4.14 and 50.42 ± 18.90 Bq kg⁻¹, respectively. The absorbed gamma-indoor dose rates and other radiological health indices were calculated in order to assess the radiological hazards associated with the use of the sediments in construction of dwellings. The values obtained were less than the recommended safe and criterion limits by UNSCEAR. It is sufficient to say therefore that sediments from the respective rivers and streams around the abattoir sites are safe and can be used for construction of buildings without undue radiological health concerns.

Online publication date: Thu, 28-Jan-2016

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Low Radiation (IJLR):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

Username:        Password:          Forgotten your password?

Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com