The radon health hazards education in Ghana

Abstract

Radiation and radioactive isotopes constitute a natural part of our environment. High concentrations of these radioactive isotopes in the environment can be a threat to our health. The largest fraction of the natural radiation we receive comes from the radioactive gas radon, which disintegrates by emitting alpha particles. Although it cannot be detected by human senses, radon and its radioactive by-products are a health concern because they can cause lung cancer when inhaled over many years. Radon is present everywhere in the rock, soil, water and air because of the ubiquitous nature of its parent radioactive element uranium in geological terrain. In this paper, we highlight the need for measurement of radon in the environment, and the possible health hazards due to radon gas, especially from building materials and water in Ghana. We present preliminary results from our recent work and suggest remedial measures to avoid high intake of radon. In the preliminary results, using the BEIR III model to calculate the distribution of lung cancer cases per year in Dome in 2009 between the different age groups from radon exposure of 2.03 WLM per year gave a total of 5 cases per year