Measurement of Indoor Radon Concentrations and Health Hazard Exposure to Occupants of Buildings at Ijebu-Imushin Area, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract

Lung cancer has been linked to exposure to the naturally occurring ionizing radiation from radon gas (22Rn). Radon is ubiquitous in our environment. However, the level of Concentration of this gas is influenced by the geological, geographical and meteorological conditions of a particular environment. The indoor radon concentration is also influenced by factors such as Air-conditioning system, ventilation and age of building. In this study, the level of indoor radon concentrations was measured using radon detector Rn-35 model, in 30 different buildings for both bricks buildings and cement buildings located within Ijebu-Imushin situated at Ijebu- East, Ogun State, Nigeria. Buildings were chosen to vary between those bricks buildings and cement buildings. The results of the measurements showed that the indoor radon concentrations for all the buildings varied between0.48 to 1.68pCiL-1. These values were found to be lower than the recommended limit by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). The annual dose rate for the occupants of buildings ranged from 0.005mSy -1 to 0.123mSy -1which were below the recommended ICRP international limit. Hence, there was no reasonable risk of adverse health effect and lung cancer induction to the occupants of the buildings at Ijebu- Imushin.