Evaluation of Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk for Environmental Exposures in Kaduna, Nigeria

Gyuk P Musa, Bello I Ayodeji, Nicodemus Kure and Isaac H Daniel
2025-09-02 67 views 1 downloads

 

This study assessed the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) associated with natural radioactivity in marble samples from Gidan Waya and Ungwar Damishi, North Central Nigeria. Activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K were determined using gamma ray spectrometer with a NaI (Tl) detector. From these data, radiological hazard indices, including ELCR, were calculated. Marble samples from Gidan Waya exhibited ELCR values ranging from 0.104 × 10-³ to 0.250 × 10-³, with an average of 0.150 × 10-³, which is below the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) reference value of 0.29 × 10-³. These results indicate that long-term use of Gidan Waya marble poses a low cancer risk to the population. In contrast, marble from Ungwar Damishi showed significantly higher ELCR values, ranging from 1.82 × 10-³ to 2.92 × 10-³, with an average of 2.17 × 10-³. Though other hazard indices, such as the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), absorbed dose rate, and annual effective dose, were within recommended safety thresholds, the elevated ELCR values suggest a potential health concern for long-term indoor exposure. The findings imply that marble from Gidan Waya is radiologically safe for construction and decorative purposes, while marble from Ungwar Damishi requires further investigation. In particular, long-term indoor exposure scenarios, radon exhalation rates, and refined dose modelling should be considered in future studies to provide a more comprehensive risk profile. This study not only advances understanding of natural radioactivity in building materials in Nigeria but also contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being) by informing safe material use and promoting public health protection.

 

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