Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Activity Concentrations in Living Stone Potato in the Mining and Non-Mining Areas of Barkin-Ladi, Plateau State

Abstract

The gross alpha and gross beta activity concentration in Living-stone Potato (Plectranthus esculentus), obtained in selected mining and non-mining areas of Barkin-Ladi, Plateau state have been determined. Sample tubers of Living-stone Potato were collected from mining and non-mining areas using a random sampling approach. The samples were taken directly from the farm and examined at Ahmadu Bello University's Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT) in Zaria using a gas-filled proportional counter (MPC 2000 dual phosphor detector) with alpha and beta background of 0.5 cpm and 0.73 cpm, respectively. The results show that alpha activity in sample areas ranged from 0.005306 ± 0.00793 Bq/g to 0.03535 ± 0.00142 Bq/g with an average value of 0.03255 ± 0.00701 Bq/g. The gross alpha activity concentration was determined to be higher in the mining locations. The beta activity concentration ranges from 0.00349 ±0.0198 to 0.01397 ± 0.0198 Bq/g, with an average value of 0.03622 ± 0.00196 Bq/g. The greatest value of 0.01397 ± 0.0198 Bq/g was reported in the mining area. The lowest value was recorded below the detection limit of the machine utilized. Interestingly, all of the activities examined (alpha and beta) were found to be below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended consumption values of 0.1 Bq/g and 1.0 Bq/g for alpha and beta, respectively. The rise in alpha and beta activity that has been observed in mining areas may be associated with the quality of irrigation water, local human activities like mining around farms, and fertilizer use in farming. The public consuming these products, however, may not be adversely affected by the outcomes in a significant way.