Pioneering Radon Research in Cameroon Decreases Risks of Lung Cancer
JUL 6 2022
Miklos Gaspar , IAEA Office of Public Information and Communcation Aly Adams Diomande , IAEA Office of Public Information and Communcation
https :// www . iaea . org / newscenter / news / pioneering‐radon‐research‐in‐cameroon‐decreases‐risks‐of‐lung‐cancer
Several of the 3,000 homes – like these in the Northern Province – were surveyed in Cameroon for concentrations of naturally occurring radioactive radon isotopes . Almost 50 % were found to have concentrations above WHO-established safety limits and residents were advised to ventilate their homes regularly as mitigation . ( Photo : M . Gaspar / IAEA )
NGAOUNDERE AND YAOUNDE , CAMEROON – When Bobbo Hamadou gets up in the morning , he opens the door and window in his house . This is not just to air out his mattress – but to lower the concentration of radon in his home . He lives in one of the 150 dwellings in Ngaoundéré , found to have concentrations of this naturally occurring radioactive substance above the upper level recommended in IAEA safety standards and by the World Health Organization ( WHO ). Over a quarter of the houses surveyed in this city , capital of the Adamwa region , have high concentrations of radon .