Levels of ionizing radiations in selected quarries in Nyamira County, Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Makori, Kerubo Ruth
Warutere, Peterson Njogu
Nyamari, Jackim
Arika, Wycliffe
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Elsevier
Abstract
It has been shown through a survey by World Health Organization and International Commission on Radiological
Protection that certain materials (stones) sourced from quarries and used for the building are radioactive. In
Kenya, underground stones which are sourced from embedded rocks are used in construction of most of the
permanent buildings, yet Kenya has not adequately radio-profiled sources of building materials to determine
whether the construction materials contain radionuclides that emit ionizing radiations yet are used for building.
Consequently, Kenyans could be at risk of exposure to high levels of ionizing radiations by living in stone houses
that are not radio-profiled. Health problems arise due to subjection to ionizing radiations. The study determined
the levels of ionizing radiations in sampled quarries in Nyamira County by using Radiological survey dosimeters
to show the radiation readings in milliRoentgen/hr then converted to milliSievert per year and the Global
Positioning System device took note of the quarries' geographical positions. The study used Minitab version 17.0
software to establish the statistical differences of degree of exposure in sampled quarries. The sample size for the
study was 40 quarries. It was revealed that Q-073 and Q-075 both had the lowest radiation readings of 0.64mSv
while Q-079 had the highest reading of 3.46mSv equal to a deviation from WHO approved threshold of -35.71%,-
36.29% and 245.7%, respectively. The results indicated that 89% of the sampled quarries had radiation emissions
above the ICRP and WHO standard. However, within Borabu Sub County, only 5 and within Manga Sub-County 4
of the sampled quarries had radiation readings below ICRP and WHO recommended standards of 1mSv/yr. It was
exhibited from the study results that there are higher levels of ionizing radiations in quarries going past recommended standards per year hence causing health risk to quarry workers and general public. Therefore, these
results could guide in formation of the national construction policies by including regular surveying for the levels
of ionizing radiation in building materials as well as in practicing appropriate mitigation strategies.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Ionizing radiations, Mutations, Quarries, Cancer Exposure, Radio-profiles, Radio-biology and milli-Sievert, Physics, Chemistry, Agricultural science, Environmental science, Earth sciences, Biological sciences, Health sciences
Citation
Heliyon 6 (2020) e04363