Characterizing thermoluminescence properties of calcium halophosphate fluorescent coating powder for radiation dosimetry.

The thermoluminescence (TL) and other properties of calcium halophosphate fluorescent coating powder were studied in detail with the sole aim of ascertaining its suitability for use as a dosimetric material. The shape of the glow curve (peaks at about 125 degrees C and 350 degrees C) as well as its fairly linear dose response even at very high doses are indicative of its suitability. Optical properties of the material were studied using Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and UV-Visible spectrophotometry. The IR spectrum shows a prominent peak at 3425.9 cm(-1) indicating the presence of OH and N-H bonds. The material absorbs sharply at wavelength between 196 nm and 220 nm. The material exhibits high transmittance at various peaks with corresponding wavelengths from 300 to 831 nm. This material can also find application in radiation therapy associated with very high accident dosimetry as well as in material testing.

Determination of the elemental constituents of a natural dolerite using NIRR-1.

Elemental characterization of natural dolerite obtained from South Western Nigeria has been carried out using Nigeria Research Reactor-1 (NIRR-1) located at the Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The measurements showed the presence of aluminum, calcium, magnesium, titanium and iron with concentrations 69,990+/-3499, 61,140+/-8.0, 38,330+/-3929, 13,880+/-1804 and 8319+/-150 ppm, respectively, as the major elements. In addition, 16 other elements, in minor and trace quantities, including Th, a radioactive rare earth element and five other rare earth elements La, Ce, Sm, Dy and Lu were identified. The presence of the rare earth elements may be a confirmation of the previous argument that the observed single but broad glow peak in the glow curve of this rock is rather an overlap of more than one glow peak. The presence of Th suggests the possibility of internal radioactivity in the rock, a necessary criterion for using a material for luminescence dating. Thus, this work indicates that dolerite can be used for luminescence dating if properly developed for the purpose.

Natural radionuclides in borehole water in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.

Water samples from boreholes collected from 29 locations in two local government areas in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria have been analysed for their natural radioactivity content using a well-calibrated, shielded and highly efficient NaI(Tl) detector based gamma ray with a view to provide baseline data on the radioactivity level in the area, as well as an estimate of the resulting dose on the inhabitants. The radionuclides observed with reliable regularity belonged to the decay series chain headed by (238)U and (232)Th as well as the non-series (40)K. The mean specific activity concentrations of these, are 3.51 +/- 1.22, 2.04 +/- 0.29 and 23.03 +/- 4.37 Bq l(-1), respectively. The respective corresponding estimated mean annual effective dose are 0.36 +/- 0.12, 0.51 +/- 0.07 and 0.05 +/- 0.01, respectively mSv y(-1). These results are relatively high but are still below the recommended limit of 1 mSv y(-1) due to borehole water only. This study is the first in the area and can usefully be associated with similar surveys in other matrices in the area. Meanwhile, the radionuclides detected in the water samples do not seem to pose any radiological consequence on the sample population.

Effect of gamma irradiation on the grain yield of Nigerian Zea mays and Arachis hypogaea.

As a follow-up to our earlier investigation on the effect of gamma radiation on the germination and growth of certain Nigerian agricultural crops, the present study sought to determine the effect of gamma radiation on the grain yield of Zea mays (maize) and Arachis hypogaea (groundnut). The seeds were planted after irradiation without the application of fertiliser. The results show that for maize, grain yield for irradiated samples is increased to levels above the unirradiated yield at doses up to about 250 Gy with the optimum yield occurring at 150 Gy. The corresponding increase for groundnut is observed at doses up to about 930 Gy with optimum yield at a dose of 300 Gy. Inhibition in yield was observed to set in at a dose greater than 250 Gy for maize and 930 Gy for groundnut. The actual relationship between mean yield of these crops and gamma radiation dose was obtained using sixth-degree polynomial equations.

The effect of gamma irradiation on the germination and growth of certain Nigerian agricultural crops.

Gamma irradiation has been found to be very useful both for sterilisation in medicine and the preservation of food and cereals in nutrition and agriculture. This investigation was carried out to determine the effect of gamma irradiation on the subsequent germination and growth of irradiated seeds. Thirty seeds each of maize, okra and groundnut were irradiated to varying doses of 150, 300, 500, 700, 900, 1000 Gy using the (60)Co gamma cell irradiator facility at the Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. These, as well as the controls (unirradiated seeds), were planted on the same day in an already prepared area of farmland during the rainy season to ensure a constant moisture flow. The times of germination and subsequent growth were monitored. Results show that maize, okra and groundnut seeds needed for planting can be safely stored using gamma irradiation. However, the study reveals that the number of germinated seeds and the growth rate for the crops decrease with increase in the radiation dose the seeds were exposed to. Third-degree polynomial equations were derived which describe the percentage germination of the crops at various levels of exposure. A chart of percentage germination of seeds versus exposure dose is also presented as a quick guide to farmers, policy makers and agricultural institutions.

Background gamma terrestrial dose rate in Nigerian functional coal mines.

Measurements of the background terrestrial gamma radiation dose rates at different indoor and outdoor locations on the surfaces of Okpara underground and Okaba open cast mines in Nigeria were made. Two duly calibrated low-level gamma survey metres were held 1 m above the ground surface for these measurements. Measurements were also made at various locations inside the mine tunnel at the Okpara mine. Results indicate that the indoor background gamma radiation is comparable for both mining environments. The mean outdoor gamma dose rate determined for the Okaba mining environment is 10.4 nGy h(-1) as against 11.7 nGy h(-1) for Okpara. The ranges are 8.5-16.5 nGy h(-1) for the Okpara measurements and 7.5-14.0 nGy h(-1) for Okaba. Thus, the outdoor gamma dose rates appear to be generally lower at the Okaba open cast mine than at Okpara. The indoor dose rate values range from 11.0 to 17.0 nGy h(-1) in both environments. These indoor measurements have nearly the same mean values 14.4 and 14.5 nGy h(-1) for Okpara and Okaba environments, respectively. The indoor to outdoor dose rate ratio is 1.2 for Okpara and 1.4 for Okaba. These values are in consonance with the corresponding ratio given in literature. Dose rate measurements inside the mine tunnel at the Okpara mine are higher than the surface indoor measurements ranging from 13.5 to 20.5 nGy h(-1) with a mean of 16.5 nGy h(-1). The higher dose rate values measured in the mine tunnel are attributable to the concentration of radon in the 'closed' environment of the mine tunnel.

A survey of x-ray diagnostic services in Delta State, Nigeria (1991-1994).

A survey was conducted of x-ray radiological services in Delta State, Nigeria. Information was gathered through questionnaires and interviews from hospitals and clinics as well as from the State Ministry of Health. The data obtained were analysed. Results show that as of 1994 there were 17 x-ray machines installed at 14 different locations within seven local government areas of the state. Results also show that approximately 1% of the population of this state underwent an x-ray examination of one form or another. These two findings suggest that the bulk of the population in the state have no access to x-ray diagnostic services. Thirty five kinds of radiological examination were identified to comprise most of the examinations given. Results also show that the background radiation for different x-ray centres was greater than the background radiation for the environment outside the centres. This value, however, was found to be lowerthan the limitrecommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The exposure dose of x-rays to patients was also investigated, and results show that only eight of the centres have a dose chart for the different examinations. This implies that many patients must have being facing the risk of an overdose of x-rays from the other six centres. A regulatory or supervisory body for medical radiation is proposed to regulate and monitor x-ray services and other radiation sources in Delta State.