Measurement and Comparison of Indoor and Outdoor Exposure Rates and Radiation Risks in Tantua-Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Residential areas for university students are special places where they spend a lot of time and may be contaminated by radionuclides and radon. The necessity of radiation monitoring, mapping, and mitigation techniques to reduce potential health hazards is highlighted by the fact that prolonged exposure to background ionizing radiation can also result in neurological illnesses, reproductive issues, and carcinogenic and mutagenic consequences. The goal of this research is to analyze radiological risks both indoors and outdoors in a neighborhood that is primarily populated by university students. measuring the exposure rate in the area with the RADALERT. Findings indicate that both indoor and outdoor background ionizing radiation values are below global average of 0.013 mRh-1. Mean values of absorbed dose, annual effective dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk for indoor and outdoor are 103 nGyh-1 and 89.2 nGyh-1, 0.48 mSvy-1 and 0.109 mSvy-1 and 1.31 x 10-3 and 0.36 x 10-3 respectively. Also, indoor and outdoor effective doses to some body organs is ranged between (0.175 – 0.312) mSvy-1 and (0.040 – 0.072) mSvy-1 respectively with the testis having the greatest dose in both instances. In every measured and computed parameter, indoor values are greater. Therefore, it is advised that builders use caution when bringing supplies into the region to avoid raising the radiation level.