Assessment of Indoor Radon Gas Concentration in National Open University of Nigeria: A Case Study of Calabar Study Centre
Abstract
The current work deals with indoor radon (222Rn) concentrations measurements in the Calabar Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria using a Corentium Arthings digital radon detector meter for seven days representing a short–term average measurement of indoor radon gas concentration level. The geographical coordinates were recorded using a hand-held geographical positioning system for the sample point. Measurement were taken for seven days and the following data where obtained 83±2.19 Bq/m3,80±3.69 Bq/m3,86±5.57 Bq/m3,84±1.59 Bq/m3,82±3.59 Bq/m3,81±4.89 Bq/m3 and 85 ±5.59 Bq/m3.The average radon(222Rn) concentration level was found to be 83 ± 3.87 Bq/m3 with a geometric mean of 82 ± 3.54 Bq/m3. It was observed that the radon concentration was below the reference level of 100 Bq/m3 recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). Although the current exposure of members of the public to natural radiation is not critical, the situation could change abruptly when other activities commenced. The excess life time cancer risk calculated for 70 years, 60 years, 50 years, 40 years and 30 years were 1.72 × 10−3,1.65× 10−3,1.39× 10−3,1.44× 10−3 and 0.69× 10−3 respectively. The calculated values of the excess life time cancer risk are all higher than the set limit of 0.029 × 10−3 by International Commission on Radiological Protection. However, there are no observed cases of lung cancer epidemic in this Centre. Therefore, it is advised to use fans and effective ventilation techniques to reduce radon levels. Identifying the regions of the country where people are most at risk from radon exposure should be the main goal of any national radon policy.
Downloads
References
E.P. Inyang, E.P. Inyang and M.B. Latif, “A Correlation: TL response of synthetic fused quartz with 60Co gamma (high dose) source and 90Sr/90Y Beta (low dose) source,” Bulletin of Pure and applied Sciences - Physics, 38(1), 06-12 (2019). https://acspublisher.com/journals/index.php/bpasphy/article/view/9342
S.A. Sokari, “Estimation of Radiation Risks Associated with Radon within Residential Buildings in Okrika, Rivers State, Nigeria”, Asian Journal of Physical and Chemical Sciences, 6, 12 (2018). https://doi.org/10.9734/AJOPACS/2018/43400
W.S. Kent, and S.E. William, “Geochemical and Ray Characterization of Pennsylvanian Black Shales: Implications for Elevated Home Radon Levels in Vanderburgh County, Indiana”, Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, 148, 154-162 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2015.06.023
F. Bochicchio, “The radon issue: Considerations on regulatory approaches and exposure evaluations on the basis of recent epidemiological results,” Applied Radiation and Isotopes, 66, 1561–1566 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apradiso.2007.11.019
WHO, WHO Handbook on indoor radon: A public health perspective, (World Health Organization, Geneva, 2009).
UNSCEAR “Effects and risks of ionizing radiations. New York: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation” (2000).
M.R. Usikalu, C.A. Onumejor, J.A. Achuka, A. Akinpelu, M. Omeje, and T.A. Adagunodo, “Monitoring of radon concentration for different building types in Covenant University, Nigeria,” Cogent Engineering, 7, 1759396 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311916.2020.1759396
ICRP “Lung Cancer Risk from Radon and Progeny, statement on Radon” International Commission on radiological Protection Publication115.Annal ICRP 40 (2010).
WHO, Handbook on Indoor Radon, (World Health Organization, 2009).
ICRP, Recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection, ICRP Publication 60 Ann. ICRP 21 3 (1991). https://www.icrp.org/publication.asp?id=ICRP%20Publication%2060
S. Antignani, V. Carelli, C. Cordedda, F. Zonno, M. Ampollini, C. Carpentieri, G. Venoso, and F. Bochicchio, “An affordable proxy of representative national survey on radon concentration in dwellings: design, organization and preliminary evaluation of reptesentativeness,” Radiat. Meas. 50, 136–140 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2012.06.015
A. Lima Flores, R. Palomino-Merino, E. Espinosa, V.M. Castaño, E. Merlo Juárez, M. Cruz Sanchez, and G. Espinosa, “The Indoor Radon Concentration within the Tunnels of the Cholula Pyramid Through a Nuclear Tracks Methodology,” Journal of Nuclear Physics, Material Sciences, Radiation and Applications, 4(1), 77–78 (2016). https://doi.org/10.15415/jnp.2016.41008
D. Nikolopoulosa, and A. Louizib, “Study of indoor radon and radon in drinking water in Greece and Cyprus: Implications to exposure and dose,” Radiation Measurements, 43, 1305–1314 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2008.03.043
M. Janik, P. Bossew, M.M. Hasan, and G. Cinelli, “Indoor Radon Research in the Asia-Pacific Region,” Atmosphere, 14, 948 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14060948
Saïdou, O. B. Modibo, N. Nkoulou, J. Emmanuel, O. German, K. N. Michaux, and H.Y. Abba. “Indoor Radon Measurements Using Radon Track Detectors and Electret Ionization Chambers in the Bauxite-Bearing Areas of Southern Adamawa, Cameroon,” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17, 6776 (2020). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186776
J. Emmanuel, N. Nkoulou, L.N. Engola, Saïdou, M. Hosoda, D. Bongue, T. Suzuki, et al., “Simultaneous indoor radon, thoron and thoron progeny measurements in Betare-Oya gold mining areas, eastern Cameroon,” Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 185, 391-401 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1093/rpd/ncz026
C. Gabriel, and A. Peyman, “The dielectric properties of biological tissues; Variation with Age,” in: Conn's Handbook of Models for Human Aging (Second Edition), Edited by: J.L. Ram, and P. Michael Conn, (Academic Press, 2018), pp. 939-952 2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-811353-0.00069-5
O.A. Ndubisi, B.-K.M. Apaem, S.F. Barikpe, and I. Tamunobereton-Ari, “Analysis of Indoor Radon Level and its Health Risks Parameters in Three Selected Towns in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria,” J. Nig. Soc. Phys. Sci. 3, 181–188 (2021). https://doi.org/10.46481/jnsps.2021.203
E.P. Inyang, E.P. Inyang, and E.S. William, “Assessment of the exposure to radiofrequency radiation from Wi-Fi routers in Calabar metropolis Nigeria,” Nigerian Journal of Scientific Research, 16(2), 490-494 (2017).
Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (2004). Acquisition of Aeromagnetic and Radiometric data by Fugro airborne.
N. Egesi, and V.U. Ukaegbu, “Petrologic and structural characteristics of the basement units of Bansara Area, Southeastern Nigeria,” Pac. J. Sci. Technol, 11(1), 510-525 (2010). https://doi.org/10.11648/j.earth.20130204.11
Copyright (c) 2023 Kolawole M. Lawal, Etido P. Inyang, Efiong A. Ibanga, Funmilayo Ayedun
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
