Evaluating radiological impacts of tin mining in the Jos Plateau, Nigeria: innovative methodology and health risk assessments

Mining can significantly affect the surrounding environment. This study analyzed the radiological impact of tin mining in the Jos Plateau, Nigeria. Soil, tin tailing and agricultural products were collected and analyzed by gamma spectrometry establishing a simple resource-saving method for determining efficiencies, the Top-Down method. The activities increased from soil to tin tailing material (U-238: soil: 62—178 Bq/kg, tailing: 111—3000 Bq/kg; Th-232: soil: 51—186 Bq/kg, tailing: 62—6400 Bq/kg). The agricultural products show elevated activity concentrations, exceeding reference values. Resulting external exposure rates and increased food contamination cause elevated doses and health risks for the local population.