DOI: 10.36347/sjpms

Pages: 56-65

The gross alpha and beta data were generated from EURISYS MEASURE IN20 low Background multiple (eight) channels alpha and beta detector stationed at Center for Energy Research and Training (CERT), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Eight samples of drinking water collected from local boreholes in Gombe metropolis were evaporated to obtain the residue. The residue was later counted for gross alpha and beta activity. The mean gross alpha and beta activity obtained were 1.03 and 18.69 Bq/l respectively. The gross alpha and beta activity values were used to estimate the annual committed effective dose (ACED) due to alpha and beta emitting radionuclides. The mean ACED obtained due alpha emitting radionuclides were 0.41, 0.82 and 1.65 mSv/yr for infants (≤ year), children (1-12 years) and teenagers/adults (> 12 years) respectively while the ACED obtained due to beta emitting radionuclides were 7.51, 15.01 and 30.02 mSv/yr for infants, children and adults respectively. The results obtained were compared with the world standards and realized that most of the sample locations were above the world standards. It was concluded that the water collected from these sample locations will be threat to human health and the environment. Therefore, it was recommended that further studies need to be carried out to ensure the safety of the masses around the areas and the environment