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Sondzo JS, Dallou GB, Meye PO, Diahou RRCM, Biona CB, Kranrod C, Omori Y, Hosoda M, Saïdou, Tokonami S. Simultaneous measurements of radon, thoron and thoron progeny and induced cancer risk assessment in Djeno, Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2024; 200:437-447. [PMID: 38226499 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncad314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
In this study, the activity concentrations of radon (222Rn), thoron (220Rn) and thoron progeny were measured simultaneously in Djeno (Pointe-Noire, Republic of Congo) using RADUET detectors to evaluate the air quality and the radiological risks due to the inhalation of these radionuclides. Activity concentrations of radon progeny were calculated from those of radon. Indoor radon, thoron and progenies followed a lognormal distribution ranging between 20 and 40, 6 and 62, 8 and 17.6 and 0.4 and 19.6 Bq m-3 for radon, thoron, radon progeny and thoron progeny, respectively. Mean values for radon were lower than the worldwide values estimated by the United Nation Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR), which are 40 Bq m-3 (arithmetic mean) and 45 Bq m-3 (geometric mean). Radon concentrations in the dwellings under study were below the World Health Organization and the International Commission on Radiological Protection recommended reference levels, which are, respectively, 100 and 300 Bq m-3. The mean concentration of thoron was twice the world average value of 10 Bq m-3 estimated by UNSCEAR. Thoron progeny mean concentration was sharply greater than the typical value (0.3 Bq m-3) for indoor atmosphere provided by UNSCEAR. Annual effective dose ranges were 0.40-0.87 mSv (arithmetic mean, 0.57 ± 0.11 mSv) for radon and 0.10-4.14 mSv (arithmetic mean, 0.55 ± 0.77 mSv) for thoron. The mean value for radon was lower than the value (1.15 mSv) estimated by UNSCEAR, while the mean value for thoron was five times higher than the UNSCEAR value (0.10 mSv). The study showed that the use of the typical equilibrium factor value given by UNSCEAR to compute effective dose led to an error above 80%. Finally, the results of this study showed that the excess relative risk of radon-induced cancer was low, below 2% for the population under 55 y. The results presented in the present study prove that the population of Djeno is exposed to a relatively low potential risk of radon- and thoron-induced cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jucit Sem Sondzo
- Marien Ngouabi University, Faculty of Science et Technology, BP 69 Brazzaville, Congo
- Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Applications (LPNA), National Institute for Research in Exact et Natural Sciences (IRSEN), P.O. Box 2400 Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Guy Blanchard Dallou
- Marien Ngouabi University, Faculty of Science et Technology, BP 69 Brazzaville, Congo
- Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Applications (LPNA), National Institute for Research in Exact et Natural Sciences (IRSEN), P.O. Box 2400 Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Philippe Ondo Meye
- General Directorate of Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety, Ministry of Energy and Hydraulic Resources, BP 1172 Libreville, Gabon
- Laboratory of Nuclear Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Russel Rolphe Caroll Moubakou Diahou
- Marien Ngouabi University, Faculty of Science et Technology, BP 69 Brazzaville, Congo
- Laboratory of Nuclear Physics and Applications (LPNA), National Institute for Research in Exact et Natural Sciences (IRSEN), P.O. Box 2400 Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Clobite Bouka Biona
- Marien Ngouabi University, Faculty of Science et Technology, BP 69 Brazzaville, Congo
| | - Chutima Kranrod
- Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1, Hon-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Yasutaka Omori
- Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1, Hon-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hosoda
- Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1, Hon-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
- Department of Radiation Science, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki University, 66-1, Hon-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
| | - Saïdou
- Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, P.O. Box 4110 Yaounde, Cameroon
- Laboratory of Nuclear Physics, Faculty of Science, University of Yaounde I, P.O. Box 812 Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Department of Radiation Physics, Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1, Hon-cho, Hirosaki-shi, Aomori, 036-8564, Japan
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Shergill S, Forsman-Phillips L, Nicol AM. Radon in Schools: A Review of Radon Testing Efforts in Canadian Schools. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105469. [PMID: 34065347 PMCID: PMC8160764 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Radon, a known carcinogen, becomes a health risk when it accumulates inside buildings. Exposure is of particular concern for children, as their longer life expectancy increases their lifetime risk of developing cancer. In 2016, 5.5 million students were enrolled in Canadian elementary and secondary schools. With no national policy on radon testing in schools, children may be at risk from radon exposure while attending school and school-based programs. This study explored radon testing efforts in publicly funded Canadian schools and summarizes where testing programs have occurred. Radon testing in schools was identified through a systematic qualitative enquiry, surveying members from different levels of government (health and education) and other stakeholders (school boards, research experts, among others). Overall, this research found that approaches to radon testing varied considerably by province and region. Responsibility for radon testing in schools was often deferred between government, school boards, building managers and construction parties. Transparency around radon testing, including which schools had been tested and whether radon levels had been mitigated, also emerged as an issue. Radon testing of schools across Canada, including mitigation and clear communication strategies, needs to improve to ensure a healthy indoor environment for staff and students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandy Shergill
- CAREX Canada, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A1S6, Canada;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A1S6, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H3A0G4, Canada
| | - Lindsay Forsman-Phillips
- CAREX Canada, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A1S6, Canada;
- Correspondence: (L.F.-P.); (A.-M.N.); Tel.: +1-778-782-3433 (L.F.-P.); +1-778-782-4821 (A.-M.N.)
| | - Anne-Marie Nicol
- CAREX Canada, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A1S6, Canada;
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A1S6, Canada
- National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH), Vancouver, BC V5Z4R4, Canada
- Correspondence: (L.F.-P.); (A.-M.N.); Tel.: +1-778-782-3433 (L.F.-P.); +1-778-782-4821 (A.-M.N.)
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Chen J. RISK ASSESSMENT FOR RADON EXPOSURE IN VARIOUS INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2019; 185:143-150. [PMID: 30624757 PMCID: PMC6926919 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Using data from a number of radon surveys, it was assessed that on average, radon progeny concentrations in Canadian homes are about three times higher than in school buildings, 4.7 times higher than in public buildings and indoor workplaces, and 12 times higher than in outdoor air. Canadian statistics show that most Canadians spend ~70% of their time indoors at home, 20% indoors away from home and 10% in outdoors. Due to relatively higher radon concentration in residential homes and longer time spent indoors at home, the exposure at home contributes to 90% of the radon-induced lung-cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Radiation Protection Bureau, Health Canada, 775 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Gagnon F, Poulin P, Leclerc JM, Dessau JC, Abab A, Arsenault P, El-Turaby F, Lachance-Paquette G, Vézina FA. Implementation of a radon measurement protocol and its communication plan by child care centre managers in Québec. Canadian Journal of Public Health 2016; 107:e319-e325. [PMID: 27763849 DOI: 10.17269/cjph.107.5339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 05/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To invite and support managers of child care centres to measure radon concentrations in their buildings. Their ability to carry out a measurement protocol and communication plan was also evaluated as well as the intention of parents and educators to test for radon at home. PARTICIPANTS Managers, parents and educators of child care centres. SETTING 36 child care centres located in two priority investigation areas in Québec. INTERVENTION A kit containing radon detectors with installation and recovery instructions was shipped by mail in addition to factsheets intended for parents and educators. Site visits and phone calls were also conducted with a sample of child care centres and participants. OUTCOMES The instructions related to detector installation were generally well respected. Afterward, more than half (18) of the 34 parents and educators interviewed said that they had been directly informed of this radon testing by managers or other educators, and not by the factsheet provided. This radon measurement intervention was considered very relevant by 91% of them and a quarter (26%) expressed their intention to test for radon at home, while 6% had already done so. Two child care centres (5.5%) had at least one measurement above the Canadian guideline level of 200 Bq/m3. CONCLUSION This intervention has demonstrated the ability of child care centre managers to carry out this type of autonomous procedure, which can be centralized to minimize costs. This type of intervention may influence parents to become more familiar with this contaminant and measure their family's exposure at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabien Gagnon
- Institut national de santé publique du Québec, Direction de la santé environnementale et de la toxicologie, Montréal and Québec, QC; Département des sciences de la santé communautaire, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC.
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Madureira J, Paciência I, Rufo J, Moreira A, de Oliveira Fernandes E, Pereira A. Radon in indoor air of primary schools: determinant factors, their variability and effective dose. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2016; 38:523-533. [PMID: 26100326 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-015-9737-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Radon is a radioactive gas, abundant in granitic areas, such as in the city of Porto at the north-east of Portugal. This gas is a recognized carcinogenic agent, being appointed by the World Health Organization as the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The aim of this preliminary survey was to determine indoor radon concentrations in public primary schools, to analyse the main factors influencing their indoor concentration levels and to estimate the effective dose in students and teachers in primary schools. Radon concentrations were measured in 45 classrooms from 13 public primary schools located in Porto, using CR-39 passive radon detectors for about 2-month period. In all schools, radon concentrations ranged from 56 to 889 Bq/m(3) (mean = 197 Bq/m(3)). The results showed that the limit of 100 Bq/m(3) established by WHO IAQ guidelines was exceeded in 92 % of the measurements, as well as 8 % of the measurements exceeded the limit of 400 Bq/m(3) established by the national legislation. Moreover, the mean annual effective dose was calculated as 1.25 mSv/y (ranging between 0.58 and 3.07 mSv/y), which is below the action level (3-10 mSv). The considerable variability of radon concentration observed between and within floors indicates a need to monitor concentrations in several rooms for each floor. A single radon detector for each room can be used, provided that the measurement error is considerably lower than variability of radon concentration between rooms. The results of the present survey will provide useful baseline data for adopting safety measures and dealing effectively with radiation emergencies. In particular, radon remediation techniques should be used in buildings located in the highest radon risk areas of Portugal. The results obtained in the current study concerning radon levels and their variations will be useful to optimize the design of future research surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Madureira
- Institute of Science and Innovation on Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Inês Paciência
- Institute of Science and Innovation on Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - João Rufo
- Institute of Science and Innovation on Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - André Moreira
- Faculty of Medicine of University of Porto, Al. Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eduardo de Oliveira Fernandes
- Institute of Science and Innovation on Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465, Porto, Portugal
| | - Alcides Pereira
- Natural Radioactivity Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal
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Branco PTBS, Nunes RAO, Alvim-Ferraz MCM, Martins FG, Sousa SIV. Children's Exposure to Radon in Nursery and Primary Schools. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2016; 13:386. [PMID: 27043596 PMCID: PMC4847048 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph13040386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The literature proves an evident association between indoor radon exposure and lung cancer, even at low doses. This study brings a new approach to the study of children's exposure to radon by aiming to evaluate exposure to indoor radon concentrations in nursery and primary schools from two districts in Portugal (Porto and Bragança), considering different influencing factors (occupation patterns, classroom floor level, year of the buildings' construction and soil composition of the building site), as well as the comparison with IAQ standard values for health protection. Fifteen nursery and primary schools in the Porto and Bragança districts were considered: five nursery schools for infants and twelve for pre-schoolers (seven different buildings), as well as eight primary schools. Radon measurements were performed continuously. The measured concentrations depended on the building occupation, classroom floor level and year of the buildings' construction. Although they were in general within the Portuguese legislation for IAQ, exceedances to international standards were found. These results point out the need of assessing indoor radon concentrations not only in primary schools, but also in nursery schools, never performed in Portugal before this study. It is important to extend the study to other microenvironments like homes, and in time to estimate the annual effective dose and to assess lifetime health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro T B S Branco
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Rafael A O Nunes
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Maria C M Alvim-Ferraz
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Fernando G Martins
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE-Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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Shahbazi-Gahrouei D, Gholami M, Setayandeh S. A review on natural background radiation. Adv Biomed Res 2013; 2:65. [PMID: 24223380 PMCID: PMC3814895 DOI: 10.4103/2277-9175.115821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The world is naturally radioactive and approximately 82% of human-absorbed radiation doses, which are out of control, arise from natural sources such as cosmic, terrestrial, and exposure from inhalation or intake radiation sources. In recent years, several international studies have been carried out, which have reported different values regarding the effect of background radiation on human health. Gamma radiation emitted from natural sources (background radiation) is largely due to primordial radionuclides, mainly 232Th and 238U series, and their decay products, as well as 40K, which exist at trace levels in the earth's crust. Their concentrations in soil, sands, and rocks depend on the local geology of each region in the world. Naturally occurring radioactive materials generally contain terrestrial-origin radionuclides, left over since the creation of the earth. In addition, the existence of some springs and quarries increases the dose rate of background radiation in some regions that are known as high level background radiation regions. The type of building materials used in houses can also affect the dose rate of background radiations. The present review article was carried out to consider all of the natural radiations, including cosmic, terrestrial, and food radiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daryoush Shahbazi-Gahrouei
- Department of Medical Physics and Medical Engineering, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
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