Radon level in a Nigerian University Campus.

Autor: Afolabi OT; Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. temitopesegun@yahoo.com., Esan DT; Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. deborahfalode@gmail.com., Banjoko B; Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. bosunbanjoko@yahoo.com., Fajewonyomi BA; Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ffajes@yahoo.com., Tobih JE; Depatment of E.N.T., Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria. pilgrimhouse2012@gmail.com., Olubodun BB; Department of Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. olukay27@gmail.com.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: BMC research notes [BMC Res Notes] 2015 Nov 14; Vol. 8, pp. 677. Date of Electronic Publication: 2015 Nov 14.
DOI: 10.1186/s13104-015-1447-7
Abstrakt: Background: 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.
Results: 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).
Conclusion: 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.
Databáze: MEDLINE
Externí odkaz: