No abstract

Miners and the people living close to mining sites are exposed to elevated levels of ionizing radiation with or without their consent. This study determined the background ionizing radiation of four mining sites from Sardauna local government area of Taraba state using an inspector alert nuclear radiation meter manufactured by S.E. International, Inc USA with serial number 35440. The meter has a halogen-quenched Geiger Muller tube with a ± 45 mm effective diameter and mica window density of 1.5-2.0 mg/cm 3 . The Geiger tube in the meter generates a pulse of electrical current each time radiation is incident on the tube and causes ionization. The measured values ranged from 0.19 -0.40 mSv/yr across all the mining sites and 500 m away from the sites. These results were found to be far less than the standard of 1.0 mSv/yr set by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for the general public and 20.0 mSv/yr set by the Nigeria Basic Ionization Radiation Regulation (NiBIRR) for the whole body of adult radiation protection workers which means that the miners and inhabitants of this areas are safe. Nevertheless, there could be long term variations in the consequences arising from the effects of ionizing radiation among the miners and even the inhabitants. Strong correlations were found between the equivalent doses at the excavating and the processing points of the sites which mean that the miners and people living close to these mining sites are subjected to uniform distribution of consequences arising from ionizing radiation. We do recommend that policy makers and regulatory bodies should apply mitigation measures to the effects by means of creating awareness to the miners at various mining sites and the use of modern mining strategies to protect other natural resources especially water.

Fine particulate matter and eight heavy metals (Ni, Co, Cu, Pb, Cd, Cr, Mn, and Zn) concentrations were determined in air samples collected from three industrial sites in northern Nigeria using a Handheld Portable Particle Counter for PM 2.5 and PM 10 with model number CW-HAT 200 and a High Volume Respirable Dust Sampler (APM 460 NL) in conjunction with an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Serial No. AA0904M046) Flame Test. The results of the fine particulates ranged from 11.0 -46.0 µg•m −3 for PM 2.5 and 22.0 -88 µg•m −3 for PM 10 across all the industrial sites investigated. Most of these results exceeded the WHO permissible levels of 25.0 µg•m −3 and 50.0 µg•m −3 for PM 2.5 and PM 10 and thus pose threats to people living and working close to these sites. The concentration of the heavy metals studied were found to be within WHO/EU set standards except for the concentrations of Ni, Pb, and Cd that exceeded the set standard by WHO/EU with toxicity potential >1 in the Terytex industry, Kano and Grand Cereals, Jos. Strong positive correlations were found between the fine particulates concentrations and heavy metals in all the studied sites suggesting that common anthropogenic sources contributed to the fine particulates and heavy metals recorded from the industrial areas. We suggested the installation of electrostatic precipitators to combat fine particulates emission from the stack and also recommended a proper legislative framework by the government to regulate and control industrial fugitive emissions to protect human health.

Air pollution in Jos, Nigeria, is concerning due to a variety of anthropogenic sources which expose residents to possible respiratory health risks. Good emission source data and an understanding of all elements connected to air pollution is the foundation for successful pollution abatement. The study established a model for crosswind-integrated concentrations by solving the advection-diffusion equation using the reducible and irreducible techniques and utilizes it to forecast the concentration of PMX pollutants released from a stack in Jos, Nigeria. Data was collected from the Grand Cereals environment using a Handheld Portable Particle Counter for PMx with model number CW-HAT 200 for a year. High values of fine particulates recorded in the study are worrisome because they represent a threat to human health. Moreover, the monitored and modeled results evidenced a higher risk for human health in specific points, particularly areas less than 100m away from the stack which is seen as deriving from the stack emissions. Electrostatic precipitators or mist collectors can be installed to reduce the PMX emissions and its impact on human health. We proposed that the boiler stack be replaced with a taller one and that people living and working near the industry wear a nasal mask to mitigate inhaling dangers. The model performs better in estimating PM2.5 concentrations under unstable conditions and is recommended for PM2.5 monitoring.