Evaluation of Radiological Health Risk Associated with Indian Tiles Available in Nigerian Markets

Abstract

Seven imported Indian tiles available in the Nigerian markets were investigated in this study to determine their radiological health hazards on users. Gamma spectroscopy was used for the analysis. The calculated radiological variables such as the dose rate, radium equivalent, internal and external hazard indices, gamma index, annual effective dose and the corresponding alpha index were used to determine the potential health risks on people exposed to these building tiles. The average activity concentration of 226 Ra, 232 Th and 40 K were found to be 68.03, 84.79 and 620.89 Bq/kg respectively. These results were observed to be greater than the world recognized average safe boundary for building purposes. Similarly, the dose rate for all investigated tiles ranged between 59.14 and 154.65. This also revealed much higher values than the recommended standard except for GPI which recorded a lower result. However, the mean result of the radium activity equivalent in all the samples investigated was noted to be 237.09 Bq/kg. Both internal and external hazard indices reported much lower results than the recommended safe limit in all the tiles. Similarly, the gamma activity, the annual effective dose, and the alpha indices reported results that are within the safe limit. Therefore, it can be concluded that Indian tiles present in Nigerian market do not pose any health risk to users.