en Environmental Health, Sciences, and Engineering Environmental Health, Sciences, and Engineering پژوهشي Original Article <div style="text-align: justify;"> <div class="WordSection1"> <div class="WordSection1"><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="line-height:1;"><span style="page:WordSection1"><b><span style="color:black">Background:</span></b><span style="color:black"> The purpose of this study was to characterize background ionizing radiation in this environment, which is essential for assessing the health risks linked to prolonged exposure. The environmental radiation levels in the Bayelsa scrap market, located on the outskirts of the capital city, were investigated to assess the potential health impacts of ionizing radiation. </span><br> <b><span style="color:black">Methods:</span></b><span style="color:black"> Using a calibrated handheld radiation meter (Radalert-100X), measurements were taken at thirty randomly selected points within the market, which is densely populated with artisans, scrap dealers, and other stakeholders.</span><br> <b><span style="color:black">Results:</span></b><span style="color:black"> The exposure rate, absorbed dose rate, annual effective dose, and excess lifetime cancer risk ranged from 0.009 to 0.034 mRh^-1, 78.3 to 295.8 nGyh^-1, 0.09 to 0.36 mSvy^-1 and (0.12 to 0.45) x 10^-3, respectively. The corresponding average values of 0.018 mRh^-1, 154.28 nGyh^-1, 0.19 mSvy^-1, and 0.25 x 10^-3 indicate that although the average absorbed dose rate exceeds the global average, the annual effective dose equivalent and excess lifetime cancer risk remain within permissible limits. The findings suggest that scrap markets may not significantly increase public radiation exposure, and the associated lifetime cancer risk&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; remains low.</span><br> <b><span style="color:black">Conclusion:</span></b><span style="color:black"> This study highlights the importance of monitoring environmental radiation in scrap metal markets. Such measures are essential to mitigate the elevation of background ionizing radiation levels, thereby protecting both the environment and public health from potential radiation-induced hazards.</span></span></span></span></span></div> <div aria-label="Page Break" class="cke_pagebreak" contenteditable="false" data-cke-display-name="pagebreak" data-cke-pagebreak="1" style="page-break-after:always" title="Page Break"></div> <div class="WordSection1"><div aria-label="Page Break" class="cke_pagebreak" contenteditable="false" data-cke-display-name="pagebreak" data-cke-pagebreak="1" style="page-break-after:always" title="Page Break"></div></div> </div> <div aria-label="Page Break" class="cke_pagebreak" contenteditable="false" data-cke-display-name="pagebreak" data-cke-pagebreak="1" style="page-break-after:always" title="Page Break"></div></div> Environment, Scrap market, Background ionizing, Radiation, Excess lifetime cancer risk, 0 0 http://jhehp.zums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-700-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Peter Ebibuloami Biere pbiere2003@gmail.com 100319475328460016397 0000000212729961 No Department of Physics, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Kugbere Emumejaye emumejayek@dsust.edu.ng 100319475328460016398 0000000348128313 Yes Department of Physics, Southern Delta University, Ozoro, Nigeria. Tolulope Olaide Aluko toluwisdom@gmail.com 100319475328460016399 0009000571631699 No Department of Physics Education, Federal College of Education (Tech) Akoka Lagos State, Nigeria.