Radon level in a Nigerian University Campus

Globally, radon is a natural contaminant that affects indoor air quality. Several epidemiological studies have implicated high radon levels in the causality of lung cancer. The study therefore determined the environmental level of radon in selective offices in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMC research notes 2015-11, Vol.8 (675), p.677-677, Article 677
Main Authors: Afolabi, Olusegun Temitope, Esan, Deborah Tolulope, Banjoko, Bosun, Fajewonyomi, Benjamin A, Tobih, James Enajero, Olubodun, Babakayode Babajide
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Air Pollutants, Radioactive - analysis
Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis
Care and treatment
Complications and side effects
Corporate headquarters
Development and progression
Environmental Exposure
Environmental impact
Epidemiology
Health hazards
Humans
Ionizing radiation
Lung cancer
Middle Aged
Nigeria
Patient outcomes
Radon - analysis
Studies
Universities
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Summary:Globally, radon is a natural contaminant that affects indoor air quality. Several epidemiological studies have implicated high radon levels in the causality of lung cancer. The study therefore determined the environmental level of radon in selective offices in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A Pro 3-series radon detector was used to determine the radon levels in randomly selected offices. The instrument was set-up in each office and after 48 h, reading was taken and recorded on a proforma data sheet. The structural characteristics of the offices were also assessed by observation. The result revealed that the radon level obtained in the sampled offices ranged from 0.0 to 5.3 pCi/L (196 Bq/m(3)). The median concentration of radon obtained from sampled offices was 0.9 pCi/L. Almost all (95 %) of the offices had radon levels within the 'permissible' reference level recommended by World Health Organization. Radon levels also showed a statistically significant decline with height of office building with the mean concentration of radon in offices located on the basement, ground floor and first floor being 1.54 ± 1.32, 0.99 ± 0.56, 0.63 ± 0.41 pCi/L respectively, (F statistic 5.8, p < 0.001). The radon levels obtained in most assessed offices in Obafemi Awolowo University were found to be within the permissible reference levels. Mitigation measures should be put in place in the few offices above permissible levels.
ISSN:1756-0500
1756-0500
DOI:10.1186/s13104-015-1447-7