AN ASSESSMENT OF GROSS BETA RADIOACTIVITY CONCENTRATION IN WELL WATER IN SOME PARTS OF KADUNA SOUTH AND ENVIRONS, NIGERIA

Twelve (12) samples of water from hand-dug wells in some parts of Kaduna South and Environs were selected using a stratified random sampling. Twenty (20mils) of concentrated nitric acid were added to each two liters of the sampled water for preservation. The samples were then evaporated and counted for Gross Beta activity using MPC-2000-DP Model Gas free Proportional Counter at Centre for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Results show that, the range of Beta activity in water in the area was 0.006 to 0.808 Bq/L, with Geometric mean of 0.120±0.077 Bq/L. The overall results show that, the Beta activity have their values below WHO recommended practical screening level of 1.0 Bq/L radioactivity for drinking water.