BACKGROUND IONIZING RADIATION LEVEL IN IKOT EKPENE, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Man’s environment is always bombarded with ionizing radiation from different sources especially from natural sources. The background ionizing radiation of an area depends on human activities and the geology of the area. Ikot Ekpene is a major city in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria with increased human activities hence need for background ionizing radiation monitoring. In -situ measurements of the background ionizing radiation were conducted using Radex radiation survey meter model RD 1212. The background ionizing radiation (BIR) level obtained for the area of study and the mean annual effective dose of 1.69 mSv/yr is higher than 0.079 mSv/yr obtained in previous study for the area. This could be as a result of increase human activities in the area and inclusion of environments like markets and building material shops. The radiation doses obtained for this work are slightly higher than the acceptable dose limit of 1mSv/yr for the public. Therefore it is recommended that the shops attendants should spent less time inside the shops and ensure ventilation of the shops.