Natural radiation exposure to the public in the oil-bearing Bakassi Peninsula, Cameroon

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to carry out natural radioactivity measurements and corresponding dose assessment in the Bakassi Peninsula, an oil-bearing area located in the Gulf of Guinea. This pilot study required E-perm Electret Ionization Chamber (EIC) exposure in homes and the sampling of soils and foodstuffs representative of the food consumption patterns of the population of Bakassi. The results show high exposure of members of the public to natural radiation. Elevated indoor radon concentrations due to building construction were observed, and high exposure to 210Po attributable to the dietary habits of the local population, mainly consisting of seafood. Finally, a total dose of 34.6 mSv.y-1 was found, much higher than the world average value. In the case of confirmation of the results of this study, countermeasures must be taken into consideration to avoid such a high level of exposure, to reduce the radiation dose to the population. Taking into account the limited number of samples, the present work should be considered as a preliminary study.