Natural occurring radiation dose and radiological risk assessment around Monoun Lake and surrounding localities in the West region of Cameroon

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences 2024-06, Vol.83 (12), p.367, Article 367
• Main Authors: Haman, Felix, Kpeglo Okoh, David, Bongue, Daniel, Guembou Shouop, Cebastien Joel, Tiomene, Dorine Flore, Gondji, Dieu Souffit, Ndontchueng Moyo, Maurice
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Baseline studies; Biogeosciences; Cancer; Carbon; Cosmic rays; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth science; Earth Sciences; Environmental Science and Engineering; Gamma rays; Gases; Geochemistry; Geology; Germanium; Health hazards; Health risks; Hydrology/Water Resources; Lakes; Original Article; Radiation; Radiation dosage; Radioactivity; Radioisotopes; Radionuclide kinetics; Radium 226; Radium isotopes; Radium radioisotopes; Risk assessment; Scientific imaging; Soil analysis; Spectrometry; Terrestrial Pollution; Water analysis
• ISSN: 1866-6280; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s12665-024-11629-8

The main objective of this study was to assess the natural radiation dose and radiological risk around Lake Monoun and some surrounding localities. A total of 28 soil samples were analyzed using gamma-ray spectrometry based on a High-Purity Germanium detector. The activity concentrations of primordial radionuclides ( 226 Ra, 232 Th, and 40 K) and the corresponding health hazard risks were determined. The average value of air absorbed dose rate and the total excess lifetime cancer risk were found to be 68.32 nGyh −1 and 1.86 × 10 –3 . These recorded average values were above the world average value reported by UNSCEAR 2000. RESRAD-OFFSITE computer code was used to evaluate the long-term radiological risk from the study area. The RESRAD simulation data of excess cancer risk was above the world limit of 1.45 × 10 –3 until 100 years. The obtained results showed insight into public exposure and could be used as baseline data for future investigations.