Survey of Gross Alpha and Gross Beta Radioactivity in Sachet Water Hawked in Minna, Niger State,

Abstract

20 samples of sachets water produced by different sachet water making factories and hawked in Minna city were selected at random and assessed for their natural radioactivity content. Alpha and Beta activities of the samples were determined using the eurysis system-eight-channel-gas-filled proportional counter at a Centre for the Energy Research and Training (CERT), ABU Zaria. The result show that the alpha activity concentration range between 0.002±0.001 – 0.024±0.004 Bq⁄L while the beta activity concentration vary between 0.072±0.007-0.558±0.19 Bq/(L )with an average value of 0.174±0.01 Bq/L. The overall result show that alpha and beta activities in the sample sachets water are bellow the practical screening level of radioactivity in drinking water stipulated by the World Health Organization, (WHO 2004) and therefore safe for drinking and other domestic activities.