Assessment of Background Ionization Radiation of Oil Spillage Site at Obodo Creek in Gokana L.G.A of River State, Nigeria

The assessment of background ionization radiation of oil spillage site at Obodo Creek in Gokana L.G.A of River State, Nigeria was carried out. An In-situ measurement was done usinga well calibrated nuclear radiation meter (Radalert-100) and a geographical positioning system (GPS). The mean background Ionization radiation values from the East, West, North and South cardinal direction of the spill site are 0.0164±0.004mR/hr, 0.0164±0.004mR/hr, 0.0171±0.006mR/hr and 0.0155±0.004mR/hr respectively while the mean Equivalent Dose Rate value are 1.3287±0.002mSv/y, 1.2278±0.001mSv/y, 1.4380±0.002mSv/y and 1.3035±0.002mSv/y. Both the background ionization radiation and equivalent dose rate levels obtained values are higher than the normal world average background ionization radiation (BIR) level of 0.013mR/h and 1.0mSv/y respectively ICRP [1]. This study revealed that the crude oil spill site environment may have been impacted, but there is no immediate health implication. However, it will pose some long-term health side effects on the residents and the environment.