Estimation of Radiation Dose Rate Levels around a Nuclear Establishment in Abuja, North Central, Nigeria

The radiation monitoring around Nuclear Technology Centre, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, Sheda-Abuja has been carried out using RDS-200 Universal Survey meter. Areas monitored included Gamma Irradiation Facility, Central Workshop, Radioactive Waste Management Building under Construction, proposed Radioisotope Plant site, Power Supply Station, SHESTCO Advanced Laboratories, Xechem Pharmaceutical Plc, Staff Housing Estates and NAEC Researchers’ Hostel. It was observed that the dose equivalent rate varied from 0.106 ± 0.032 to 0.212 ± 0.036 μSv/h with a mean of 0.149 ± 0.032μSv/h.These results though slightly above the standard background radiation of 0.133 μSv/h, they are below the ICRP maximum permissible limit of 0.57μSv/h and may not pose any danger to the radiation workers, the general public and the environment. This work also revealed that the dose rate at the Nuclear Technology Centre (NTC) is essentially from natural background radiation. This implies that there is adequate shielding for all the radioactive sources. It is safe and there has possibly been no contamination from the activities of the centre on its environment.