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Assessment of Seasonal Radon Concentration in Dwellings and Soils in Selected Areas in Ga East, Greater Accra Region of Ghana. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2022:6600919. [PMID: 36060873 PMCID: PMC9433276 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6600919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Seasonal radon levels have been studied in dwellings and soils in selected areas in Ga East, Greater Accra Region of Ghana using LR-115-type II (SSNTDs). This study was conducted to determine the seasonal correlation between soil and dwelling radon concentrations. Detectors were exposed from January to March and April to June, for dry and wet seasons, respectively. Overall, indoor radon was 133.4 ± 6.7 Bqm−3 and 72.1 ± 3.6 Bqm −3 for wet and dry seasons. The estimated annual effective dose to the lung received by the occupants at Paraku Estate, Dome, and Kwabenya was 6.9 ± 0.4, 7.2 ± 0.5, and 9.8 ± 0.8 mSvy−1 for the wet season and 3.8 ± 0.2, 4.3 ± 0.2, and 4.6 ± 0.3 mSvy−1 for the dry season. On average, the soil radon concentration was found to be 0.96 ± 0.07 kBqm−3 and 2.24 ± 0.01 kBqm−3 for wet and dry seasons. To determine the correlation between soil and dwelling radon, a positive Pearson correlation coefficient value R = (0.74) and R = (0.66) was obtained representing the dry and wet seasons. To test the statistical significance between soil and dwelling radon, P < 0.05 was obtained, indicating a statically significant relationship between the two.
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Otoo F, Arhin I, Darko EO. STUDIES OF RADON LEVELS, RADIUM CONCENTRATION, AND ESTIMATED EFFECTIVE DOSE IN DWELLINGS AND SOILS IN GOLD MINING TOWNS IN ABIREM OF EASTERN REGION OF GHANA. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2020; 191:296-309. [PMID: 33103199 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncaa129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Studies have been carried in 126 dwellings for indoor radon levels and 43 soil samples for radium and radon exhalation rate of Abirem communities in Eastern region of Ghana. The measurements were done using CR-39 and HPGe techniques. Indoor radon and mean concentration ranged from 23.8 to 125.7 Bq/m3, 54.7 ± 23.7 Bq/m3. Bedroom, kitchen, and sitting varied from 30.8 to 125.7 Bq/m3, 23.8-63.9 Bq/m3 and 23.8 to 58.4 Bq/m3. Strong and weak Pearson correlation were found between radium and radon in soil, radium and indoor radon concentration. Radium concentration and mean were found to be varied from 19.5 to 38.9 Bq/kg, 29.0 ± 16.0 Bq/kg. The radon exhalation rate and mean in soil were also found to be varied from 21.3 to 112.1 μBq/m2h, 65.1 ± 27.6 μBq/m2h. Indoor radon values and radium concentration in dwellings and soil recorded 8% and 38%, respectively, more than action proposed by WHO and UNSCEAR 2000. The estimated annual effective doses and cancer risk were less than the average values recommended by UNSCEAR and ICRP.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Otoo
- Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon-Accra, Ghana
- School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box AE1, Atomic Campus, Accra, Ghana
| | - I Arhin
- School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box AE1, Atomic Campus, Accra, Ghana
| | - E O Darko
- Radiation Protection Institute, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box LG 80, Legon-Accra, Ghana
- School of Nuclear and Allied Sciences, University of Ghana, P.O. Box AE1, Atomic Campus, Accra, Ghana
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Van TT, Bat LT, Nhan DD, Quang NH, Cam BD, Hung LV. Estimation of Radionuclide Concentrations and Average Annual Committed Effective Dose due to Ingestion for the Population in the Red River Delta, Vietnam. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2019; 63:444-454. [PMID: 29453646 PMCID: PMC6470118 DOI: 10.1007/s00267-018-1007-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Radioactivity concentrations of nuclides of the 232Th and 238U radioactive chains and 40K, 90Sr, 137Cs, and 239+240Pu were surveyed for raw and cooked food of the population in the Red River delta region, Vietnam, using α-, γ-spectrometry, and liquid scintillation counting techniques. The concentration of 40K in the cooked food was the highest compared to those of other radionuclides ranging from (23 ± 5) (rice) to (347 ± 50) Bq kg-1 dw (tofu). The 210Po concentration in the cooked food ranged from its limit of detection (LOD) of 5 mBq kg-1 dw (rice) to (4.0 ± 1.6) Bq kg-1 dw (marine bivalves). The concentrations of other nuclides of the 232Th and 238U chains in the food were low, ranging from LOD of 0.02 Bq kg-1 dw to (1.1 ± 0.3) Bq kg-1 dw. The activity concentrations of 90Sr, 137Cs, and 239+240Pu in the food were minor compared to that of the natural radionuclides. The average annual committed effective dose to adults in the study region was estimated and it ranged from 0.24 to 0.42 mSv a-1 with an average of 0.32 mSv a-1, out of which rice, leafy vegetable, and tofu contributed up to 16.2%, 24.4%, and 21.3%, respectively. The committed effective doses to adults due to ingestion of regular diet in the Red River delta region, Vietnam are within the range determined in other countries worldwide. This finding suggests that Vietnamese food is safe for human consumption with respect to radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tran Thi Van
- Department of Science, Technology, Environment and International Cooperation, Directorate for Roads of Vietnam, D20 Lot, Ton That Thuyet Street, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Luu Tam Bat
- Research Institute of the Environment and Social Problems, 6 Vu Huu, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Dang Duc Nhan
- Viet Nam Atomic Energy Institute, 59 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi, Vietnam.
| | - Nguyen Hao Quang
- Viet Nam Atomic Energy Institute, 59 Ly Thuong Kiet, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Bui Duy Cam
- University of Natural Sciences, Hanoi National University, 235 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Luu Viet Hung
- Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Defense, 15 Hoang Dieu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi, Vietnam
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Chen J, Harley NH. A Review of Indoor and Outdoor Radon Equilibrium Factors-part I: 222Rn. HEALTH PHYSICS 2018; 115:490-499. [PMID: 30148814 DOI: 10.1097/hp.0000000000000909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Radon exposure limits are given in terms of radon gas concentration in the air. However, in the calculation of radon dose to the lung, the radon equilibrium equivalent concentration is used. The measured equilibrium factor times the measured radon gas concentration estimates the equilibrium equivalent concentration. Therefore, the equilibrium factor is an important factor in radon dose calculations. A review of published measurements of equilibrium factors shows a range of values reported in studies from more than 20 countries, measured in indoor residential, indoor public, and outdoor environments. Values for Rn are reported and discussed here, with special attention paid to results from India and China, where measured equilibrium factors are reported for hundreds and thousands of households, respectively. The wide range of equilibrium factors suggests that location-specific values are more appropriate than a worldwide average value in the calculation of lung bronchial dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa K1A 1C1, Canada
| | - Naomi H Harley
- New York University School of Medicine, 1 Marine View Plaza, Hoboken, NJ
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Saini K, Singh P, Singh P, Bajwa BS, Sahoo BK. Seasonal variability of equilibrium factor and unattached fractions of radon and thoron in different regions of Punjab, India. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2017; 167:110-116. [PMID: 27914776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2016.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/24/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
A survey was conducted to estimate equilibrium factor and unattached fractions of radon and thoron in different regions of Punjab state, India. Pin hole based twin cup dosimeters and direct progeny sensor techniques have been utilized for estimation of concentration level of radon, thoron and their progenies. Equilibrium factor calculated from radon, thoron and their progenies concentration has been found to vary from 0.15 to 0.80 and 0.008 to 0.101 with an average value of 0.44 and 0.036 for radon and thoron respectively. Equilibrium factor for radon has found to be highest in winter season and lowest in summer season whereas for thoron highest value is observed in winter and rainy season and lowest in summer. Unattached fractions of radon and thoron have been found to vary from 0.022 to 0.205 and 0.013 to 0.212 with an average value of 0.099 and 0.071 respectively. Unattached fractions have found to be highest in winter season and lowest in rainy and summer season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Komal Saini
- Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India.
| | - Parminder Singh
- Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - Prabhjot Singh
- Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - B S Bajwa
- Department of Physics, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, 143005, India
| | - B K Sahoo
- Radiological Physics and Advisory Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
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Kearfott KJ, Whetstone ZD, Rafique Mir KM. Use of a geographic information system (GIS) for targeting radon screening programs in South Dakota. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH 2016; 57:84-90. [PMID: 26472478 PMCID: PMC4708909 DOI: 10.1093/jrr/rrv041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2015] [Revised: 05/31/2015] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Because (222)Rn is a progeny of (238)U, the relative abundance of uranium may be used to predict the areas that have the potential for high indoor radon concentration and therefore determine the best areas to conduct future surveys. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software was used to construct maps of South Dakota that included levels of uranium concentrations in soil and stream water and uranium deposits. Maps of existing populations and the types of land were also generated. Existing data about average indoor radon levels by county taken from a databank were included for consideration. Although the soil and stream data and existing recorded average indoor radon levels were sparse, it was determined that the most likely locations of elevated indoor radon would be in the northwest and southwest corners of the state. Indoor radon levels were only available for 9 out of 66 counties in South Dakota. This sparcity of data precluded a study of correlation of radon to geological features, but further motivates the need for more testing in the state. Only actual measurements should be used to determine levels of indoor radon because of the strong roles home construction and localized geology play in radon concentration. However, the data visualization method demonstrated here is potentially useful for directing resources relating to radon screening campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberlee J Kearfott
- University of Michigan, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2355 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104, USA
| | - Zachary D Whetstone
- University of Michigan, Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences, 2355 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2104, USA
| | - Khwaja M Rafique Mir
- Department of Physics University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Muzaffarbad, 13100, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan
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