In-Situ Background Radiation Measurements from Indiscriminate Dumps Sites in Sokoto Metropolis, Sokoto State, Nigeria

This study presents the result of In-Situ background ionizing radiation measurement from 65 indiscriminate dumpsites within the central city of Sokoto. A portable radiation survey meter Digilert 50 was used for the measurements. The measurement was carried out in the midday hours to ascertain the maximum response of the Digilert 50 at 1m above the ground called gonadial level of measuring ionizing radiation. And the location of each measurement was equally marked by the Global Positioning System (GPS) for future references and further review of the results of these findings The values of the mean background ionization radiation were in the range of 0.011 to 0.065 and an average of 0.024 against the global limit of 0.013 with a significantly higher upper limit than the global average. The calculated averages of annual effective dose significantly 0.841 and 5.466 lower and upper limits and an average of 2.017 respectively. This is significantly higher than 1.00 global limit. This showed that radiation exposure level to the public from indiscriminate dumpsites in Sokoto metropolis is a processor to a radiological impacts that needs a further research and immediate attention. The major approach for inhabitants should be a clean cultural practices of food covering and proper husbandry of portable water to mimic elevated exposure through inhalations and ingestion.