Journal: Environmental Contaminants Reviews (ECR)
Author: Okereke, Igwe Chigbo, Adebo Babatunde, Oyekunle Emmanuel, Agbenyi Odah Emmanuel, Enin Lucky, Adam Kehinde

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Doi:10.26480/ecr.01.2024.06.17

ABSTRACT

The use of ionizing radiation (X-ray) in diagnostic radiography could be hazardous and could cause somatic and genetic damages. Adherence to radiation safety and radiation protection practices could mitigate such risks. The aim of the study was to assess the shielding adequacy of selected radiological facilities to ascertain radiation in Ibadan Metropolis. Radiation survey meters was used to obtain the instantaneous dose rates (IDR) in the study area, the data were analysed and the estimated annual doses (𝐷𝑒𝑓𝑓) calculated and compared with the NCRP standard. Radiation dose rates of ranges (0.14 μSv/hr – 2.75 μSv/hr),(0.19 μSv/hr – 1.28 μSv/hr), (0.23 μSv/hr – 3.01 μSv/hr),(0.09μSv/hr – 0.19 μSv/hr),(0.27μSv/hr – 7.51 μSv/hr) (28μSv/hr – 99 μSv/hr), (46 – 99 μSv/hr – 18.45mSv/hr), (0.25 μSv/hr – 3.56mSv/hr), (11.9 μSv/hr – 45.2μSv/hr) and (27 μSv/hr – 42 μSv/hr) were respectively obtained in each of the ten radiological facilities considered. These Results showed that the level of radiation safety for the personnels was low and radiation safety guidelines were compromised. Application of shielding devices such as lead lining for protection was neglected completely in the first three centres and none of the facilities has personnel’s dosimeters in use. Results further showed that the people living around the diagnostic centres were also at high risk because of their level of exposure to radiation from the diagnostic centres.

KEYWORDS
Ionizing radiation, radiological facilities, instantaneous dose rates, dosimeters.