Evaluating the health risks of radionuclides in welding and fabrication workshops in Akwa Ibom State, Southern Nigeria

Emmanuel Ndoma; Nyakno George; Aniekan Ekanem; Muyiwa Orosun; Patrick Ushie; Emmanuel Agbo; Benson Eze; Chisom Mbonu; Kolawole Adesina; Blessed Yahweh; Francis Okon

doi:10.46481/jnsps.2025.2550

Authors

Emmanuel G. Ndoma
[email protected]

Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat Enin, Nigeria
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3620-8615
Nyakno J. George
Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Aniekan M. Ekanem
Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Muyiwa M. Orosun
Department of Physics, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Patrick O. Ushie
Department of Physics, University of Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria
Emmanuel P. Agbo
Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0215-2492
Benson E. Eze
Department of Physics, University of Cross River State, Calabar, Nigeria
Charles C. Mbonu
Department of Physics, Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun
Kolawole E. Adesina
School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, West‑Lafayette, IN 47906, USA
Blessed Yahweh
The MindBook Group, Topfaith University, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
Francis E. Okon
Department of Physics, Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Keywords:

Environmental radioactivity, Ionising radiation, Exposure assessment, Nigeria

Abstract

Welders undoubtedly experience significant health issues. The question arises: could ionising radiation from radioactivity be responsible for these health problems, rather than solely attributing them to welding fumes and non-ionizing radiation? This study investigated the activity of primordial radionuclides, including ⁴⁰K , ²³⁸U, and ²³²Th, and examined the health impacts of exposure to these elements within welding and fabrication environments. Using a gamma spectrometric system consisting of NaI(Tl) detector, the study revealed significant variations in radioactivity levels such as; ⁴⁰K ranged from 158.79 to 552.53 Bqkg^-1, with an average value of 336.22 Bqkg^-1; ²³⁸U ranged from 8.23 to 55.22 Bqkg^-1, with an average value of 27.85 Bqkg^-1, and ²³²Th from 17.63 to 72.17 Bqkg^-1, with an average value of 37.97 Bqkg^-1. The trend in these variations correlated with the age and work frequency of welding sites. Although, the geology of the area should be considered in future research. In several locations, activity concentrations exceeded the international safe limit. Radiological parameters showed the following ranges: Radium equivalent from 49.03 to 193.69 Bqkg^-1, External Hazard from 0.13 to 0.52 Bqkg^-1, Absorbed Dose from 22.89 to 188.79 nGyh^-1, Annual Effective Dose from 0.03 to 0.11 mSvy^-1, Annual Gonadal Equivalent Dose from 0.16 to 0.62 mSvy^-1, and Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk from 0.10 to 0.38 mSvy^-1. These figures further indicate that radiation levels at some welding sites exceed the world average. Therefore, further research is needed to identify other affected sites.

Dimensions

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