RADON
Radon is the most abundant natural radioactive gas in the earth’s crest. It is the second leading causes of lung cancer next to cigarettes. The measurements of 222Rn concentration in a total of 24 different dwellings in Wolaita Sodo were investigated. The concentrations were measured by alpha spectroscopy detection technique with a Corentium digital radon detector. It was found that the overall average indoor radon concentration in the dwelling varied from 31 Bq/m3 to 708 Bq/m3, which is above the recommended action level. The average annual effective inhalation dose varied from 0.28 mSv/y to 6.37 mSv/y. The mean excess lung cancer risk estimated by this work was found to range from 0.53 % to 12.13 % with an average value of 4.06%. The average of Excess Lifetime Cancer Risk (ELCR) is greater than with the estimated risk of 1.3% due to
a radon exposure of 148 Bq/m3, which is the action level of EPA.
Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia
Nigus Maregu Demewoz, Lingerew Nebere, Natnael Abeje, Belachew Dessalegn, Tamirat Yibika
*1 becquerel is equal to 1 radioactive disintegration per second. picocuries per litre (pCi/L) (United States) 1 pCi/L is equal to 37 Bq/m3. 200 Bq/m3 is equal to 5.4 pCi/L.
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