Measurement of Ambient Dose Rates in the Near and Far Field of Selected Cement Stores in Ogun State, South-West, Nigeria

Abstract

The current economic hardship in the nation has resulted in many citizens looking for more jobs that can be done to make ends meet. Sales of cement in small and large scales can be seen everywhere. The young and elderly are involved in the business, which predisposes the workers and the public in the vicinity of the stores to ionizing radiation in cements stockpiled. The dose rates in the near and far fields of the selected cement store for the study have been investigated. Eight cement stores were selected across the study areas, and the dose rates in the near and far fields of the stores were measured using an FNIRSI GC-01 dosimeter. The radiological parameters associated with the exposure of workers and the general public were estimated for 10 years using a software called the URANIUM WISE project. The mean of the measured dose rates for the near and far fields of the cement stores ranged from (0.07 ̶ 0.27) µSv/h. The estimated radio-logical parameters for the study are above the recommended values by different regulatory bodies. This may have negative health implications for the workers and the public.