Radioactivity analysis of underground drinking water sources in Ibrahim BadamasI Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

The activity concentration of gross alpha and gross beta in analysed four samples of borehole drinking water consumed in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU) Lapai, Niger State-Nigeria have been measured using the portable single channel gas free proportional counter (MPC2000B-DP) detector. This study was focused on cancer related problems, bio-data of the environment and the radiological effect of the water on the consumers. A higher concentration of alpha and beta were recorded in Hostel block A (DD) with values of 0.085±0.024 BqL-1 and 11.229±0.901 BqL-1 respectively. A lower concentration of alpha and beta were recorded in Faculty of Management Science (AA) with values of 0.006±0.005 BqL-1 and 0.017±0.276 BqL-1 respectively. Out of four sampling sites studied, only Faculty of Management Science fall below the guideline levels of gross alpha (0.5 BqL-1) and gross beta (1.0 BqL-1) in drinking water established by the World Health Organization. These results show that, consumption of groundwater in the other three major borehole drinking water sources may pose significant radiological health hazards through ingestion to the population.