@article{article_1828637, title={Evaluation of Radiological Hazard Indices of Oniru Beach, Lagos, Nigeria Using Measurements of Natural Radionuclides 238U, 232Th and 40K}, journal={Journal of Nuclear Sciences}, volume={10}, year={2026}, DOI={10.59474/nuclear.2023.66}, url={https://izlik.org/JA58MP97WT}, author={Asifat, Adeniji Moradeyo and Adeniyi, Adewoyin Kehinde and Atanda, Jimoh Rafiu}, keywords={Radiological hazards, Oniru beach, Natural radionuclides, Hazard indices, Environmental safety.}, abstract={This study assesses the radiological risks associated with naturally occurring radionuclides ²³⁸U, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K present in the sands of Oniru Beach, situated in Lagos, Nigeria. These radionuclides, naturally present in geological materials, can pose health hazards when found in elevated concentrations, especially in areas with regular human activity such as recreational beaches. Gamma-ray spectrometry was employed to measure the activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U, and ²³²Th in sand samples collected from multiple points along the beach. The mean activity concentrations recorded were 10.85 Bq·kg⁻¹ for ²³⁸U, 9.25 Bq·kg⁻¹ for ²³²Th, and 265 Bq·kg⁻¹ for ⁴⁰K. The potential radiological impacts of these concentrations were evaluated to determine their hazard indices. These include the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), estimated at 44.5 Bq·kg⁻¹, the external hazard index (Hex) of 0.120, and the internal hazard index (Hin) of 0.149. The absorbed dose rate (D) of 21.66 nGy∙h-1; the annual effective dose equivalent (AEDE) of 0.0266 mSv/y; and the excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) estimated at 9.30×10⁻². When compared with internationally recognized safety thresholds, such as those set by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), all the calculated indices fall well below recommended limits. This suggests that exposure to sand at Oniru Beach does not present any significant radiological hazard to public health.}, number={1}