Impact of Structural and Environmental Parameters on Indoor Radon Gas Levels from Locations in Gombe, Adamawa and Yobe States Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62292/njp.v34i1.2025.349Abstract
Indoor radon gas concentrations are influenced by structural and environmental factors, including ventilation rates, room volume, foundation floor thickness, indoor temperature, and relative humidity. This study investigates the impact of these parameters on radon accumulation in residential dwellings across Adamawa, Gombe, and Yobe States, Nigeria. Using Solid-State Nuclear Track Detectors (CR-39 SSNTDs), radon concentrations were measured over six months. Results indicate that poor ventilation, small room volumes, and high indoor temperatures significantly increase radon levels, while thicker foundation floors and higher relative humidity reduce radon accumulation/concentrations in an indoor spaces. Almost all the sampling locations considered in this study indicates high accumulated values of indoor radon gas above the recommended limit set by UNSCEAR, ICRP and WHO 100 Bq/m3. The findings highlight the need for improved building designs and ventilation systems to mitigate indoor radon gas accumulation and possible radon-related health risks.
Downloads
References
Abba H. T, Dahiru U. (2018). Evaluation of Radon Concentration and Annual Effective Dose in Sachet Drinking water in Gujba Local Government, Yobe S. Dutse Journal of Applied Science 6(2), 85–94.
Afolabi, O. T., Esan, D. T., Banjoko, B., Fajewonyomi, B. A., Tobih, J. E., & Olubodun, B. B. (2015). Radon level in a Nigerian University Campus. BMC Research Notes, 8(1), 677. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-015-1447-7
Aladeniyi, K. (2024). Health risk evaluation of radon progeny exposure in Nigerian traditional mud houses. Journal. Nig. Soc. Phys. Sci. 6 (2024) 2128.
Al Zabadi, H., Mallah, K., & Saffarini, G. (2015). Indoor exposure assessment of radon in the elementary schools, Palestine. International Journal of Radiation Research, 13(3), 221–228.
Celik, N. U. Çevik, A. Çelik, and B. Kucukomeroglu. (2008). Determination of indoor radon and soil radioactivity levels in Giresun, Turkey. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, vol. 99, no. 8, pp. 1349–1354.
Chenko G. Y. Nimchang, Mangset W. E and Joyce K.D. (2019). Comparative Survey of Radon-222 Level in Some Residential Houses in Barkin-Ladi Local Government. International Journal of Trend in Research and Development, 6(4), 5–7.
CNSC Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission. (2011). Radon and Health. Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada 2011 Catalogue number CC172-67/2011- PDF ISBN 978-1-100- 17765-6 Published by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Catalogue number: INFO-0813.
Collignan, B. E. Le Ponner, and C. Mandin. (2016).Relationships between indoor radon concentrations, thermal retrofit, and dwelling characteristics. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity, vol. 165, pp. 124–130.
Dabayneh K (2006) Indoor radon concentration on measurements in Tarqumia girl schools at Western Hebron Region-Palestine. Isotope and Rad Res, 38: 1067-1077.
Elzain, A. A. (2015). Assessment of Indoor Radon Doses Received by the Students and Staff in Schools in some Towns in Sudan. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR) 4(1), 2566–2571.
Farid. S. M. (2016). Indoor radon in dwellings of Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia and its correlations with the radium and radon exhalation rates from soil. Indoor and Built Environment, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 269–278.
Gewali, J. P., & Tripathi, P. K. (2019). Advantage of Solid-State Nuclear Track Detection (SSNTD)Technique. 6(1), 552–555. Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research. www.jetir.org
Health Canada. (2017). Guide for Radon Measurements in Residential Dwellings. Health Canada, 1–22. https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/hc sc/documents/services/publications/health-risks-safety/guide-radon-measurements-residential-dwellings/radon-measurements-homes-eng.pdf
Hosoda, M., Oda, Y., Kranrod, C., Sampei, A., Kiso, M., & Taira, Y. (2024). Dose Assessments Due to Inhalation of Radon and Thoron at 70 Dwellings in the Coastal Area of Fukushima. Radiation Environment and Medicine 13(2), 51083.
ICRP, The 2007 Recommendations of the International Commission on radiological Protection. ICRP Publication 103. Ann. ICRP 37, 2007. pp. 2-4.
Khan, F. N. Ali, E. U. (2012). Study of indoor radon concentrations and associated health risks in the five districts of Hazara division, Pakistan,” Journal of Environmental Monitoring, vol. 14, no. 11, pp. 3015–3023
Kitson-Mills, D., Sovoe, S., Opoku-Ntim, I., Kyei, K. A., Marnotey, S., Anim-Sampong, S., Kwabeng, M. A., Otoo, F., & Baiden, F. (2019). An assessment of indoor radon level in a suburb of ghana. Environmental Research Communications, 1(6). https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ab2af7
Kolawole M. L, Etido P. I, Efiong A. I, Funmilayo A. (2023). Assessment of indoor radon gas concentration in national open university of nigeria: a case study of calabar study centre. East European Journal of Physics. 4. 371-375 (2023). https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2023-4-47
Li, J. E. N. N., Yerima, A. H., Bobbo, M. O., Nugraha, E. D., Ipan, A. S., Najam, L. A., Navarro, J. A. S., & Yoho, B. (2024). Lithological Impact on Radon Levels : A Study of Indoor and Soil Gas Radon in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Thorium 232, 1–15. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JD040843
Louis, N. E., & Blanchard, D. G. (2022). Public exposure to natural radiation and related excess lung cancer risk in Betare-Oya gold mining areas, eastern-Cameroon. Journal of Radiation Protection. Vol(5). 82–85
Luc, B. T., Karim, K., Moumouni, D., Cedric, B., Cisse, O. I., & Zougmore, F. (2021). Assessment of Indoor Radon Concentration in Residential Buildings at Ouagadougou and Estimation of the Annual Effective Dose. Radiation Science and Technology 7(2), 41–46. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rst.20210702.14
Lusimbo, I. R. (2019). Assessment Of Radiological Hazards Associated With Indoor Norm Dose Exposure In Residential Houses In Nairobi, Kenya. Kenyan Journal of Radiatio Protection. http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/109664
Ma’aji, A. A, Olanrewaju, A. I, Onifade, Y. S, Bello, R. (2024). Evaluation of radon gas concentration in soil samples from Boheholes in Kaltungo local Government Area of Gombe State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Physics, Vol(33). No.1
Maheso, A. M. (2021). Radon levels in South African homes - design elements for a national survey and initial results from directed sampling. International Journal of Radiation Oncology. Vol(7) 123-132.
Meludu, O.C., Catherine, I., Idowu, O. P., Dolapo, S. O., Adesina, K. E. (2023). Assessment of Radionuclides distribution and associated radiological hazards of soil in Mayo-Belwa, Adamawa State. Recent Advances in Natural Sciences I (2023) 25. https://doi.org/10.61298/rans.2023.1.2.25
Mirdoraghi, M., Einor, D., Asghari, F. B., Esrafili, A., Heidari, N., Mohammadi, A. A., & Yousefi, M. (2020). Assess the annual effective dose and contribute to risk of lung cancer caused by internal radon 222 in 22 regions of Tehran , Iran using geographic information system. Journal of Environmental Health Science and Engineering 211–220.
Mohammed, N. K., & Focus, E. (2018). Indoor Radon Concentration Levels and Annual Effective Doses for Residence of Houses Near Uranium Deposit in Bahi District, Dodoma, Tanzania. Tanzania Journal of Science, 44(1), 159–168. www.tjs.udsm.ac.tz
Nader AF. (2015). Theoretical and Experimental Study to Evaluate Radioactivity Applied on a Selected Area in Basra Governorate. Basra, Iraq: University of Basra, Iraq; [thesis].
Nsiah-Akoto, I., Fletcher, J. J., Oppon, O. C., & Andam, A. B. (2011). Indoor Radon Levels and the Associated Effective Dose Rate Determination at Dome in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences, 3(2), 124–130.
Olaoye, M. A., Ademola, A. K., & Jegede, O. (2021). Residential Indoor Radon Assessment in the Vicinity of some Dumpsites in Lagos, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 25(1), 15–19. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v25i1.2
Orlunta AN, Briggs Kamara MA, Sigalo FB, Iyeneomie T (2021) 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.
Otieno, W., Odongo, G., Chege, M., Tokonami, S., Hashim, N., Kranrod, C., & Nyambura, C. (2021). Radon and thoron exhalation rates from earthen building materials used in high background radiation areas of Homa and Ruri , Kenya. Journal of Nuclear and Radiation Medicine. Vol (3) 1–7
Radhia, P., Nugraga, E. D., Sharah, N. S., Omori, Y., & Wahyudi, W. (2024). The Effective Dose from Inhalation of Radon and Thoron in the Dwelling around the Tin Mine and Smelter Area in Bangka , Indonesia. Radiation Environment and Medicine. 13(2), 51083.
Salih, N. F., & Jaafar, M. S. (2013). Higher levels of radon affect women’s fertility in Iraqi Kurdistan Original research. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 22(4), 1163–1169.
Shehu, F., C., & Way, S. (n.d.). Lung Cancer risk in Nigeria, radon context. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 12(2), 43–58. https://doi.org/10.1007/s17562-013-9352
Taufiq, M. (2022). National and Regional Surveys of Radon Concentration in Dwellings. Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority Annual Report. Vol.(1) 33.
UNSCEAR, 2000. Exposure of the public and workers from various sources of radiation, ANNEX B, 2008, pp. 223-293.
unscear - Google Search. (2023). Retrieved May 24, 2023, from https://www.google.com/search?q=unscear&oq=unscear&aqs=chrome..69i57.22230j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
USEPA. (1999). United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water: 40 CFR Parts 141, and 142: National Primary Indoor and Drinking Water Regulations; radon-222: proposed rule.
WHO, G. (2011). Guidelines for air and drinking-water quality. World Health Organization, 216, 303- 304.