MEASUREMENT OF BACKGROUND RADIATION LEVEL FROM CENTRAL AUTOMOBILE MECHANIC VILLAGE, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

An in-situ measurement of environmental background radiation levels was conducted in the central automobile mechanic village in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The mechanic village is situated in the capital city of Uyo with sections including spare parts shops, shades for repairing of cars and associated dumpsites. The background radiation level at 11 different locations inside the mechanic village was carried out using a handheld survey meter Radex model 1212. Ten measurements per study site were taken and average taken. The average value of the measured background radiation measured in µSv/h with standard error for each study site were converted to annual dose rate equivalent in mSv/yr and the result for the average annual dose rate for the mechanic village obtained was (0.1353±0.0069) mSv/yr. This value is lower than the recommended safety value of 1mSv/yr for the public and 20 mSv/yr occupational limit hence the workers and the public are not exposed to radiological hazards in the environment. However continuous monitoring of the radiation level is recommended for any possible rise in the radiation level.