Assessment of variation of radon gas due to internal dwelling decorated materials in Amasaman District in Greater Accra Region, Ghana

Abstract

This study investigates the influence and variation of indoor radon gas due to internally decorated materials in residential buildings within Amasaman District, Accra, using CR-39 techniques. Internal covering used for decorations are wallpaper, wall tiles, gypsum panels, epoxy paints, and oil paints. Statistical analysis of the obtained radon data revealed a positively skewed distribution, suggesting a log-normal distribution of indoor radon data. The indoor radon concentrations across the studied dwellings varied from 27.7 to 287.0 Bqm−3 with a mean value of 116.0 ± 4.4 Bqm−3. The majority of dwellings (54%) exceeded the WHO reference level of 100 Bq/m3, while 92% remained below the lower limit of the international commission on radiological protection (ICRP)-recommended range of 200–600 Bqm−3. These findings emphasize the need for vigilance and proper ventilation practices to mitigate potential health risks. The annual effective dose assessments ranged from 0.7 to 7.2 mSv/y, with an arithmetic mean (AM) of 2.9 ± 0.1 mSv/y which is about 2.6 times greater than the world average value of 1 mSv/y. The excess lifetime cancer risk estimated ranged from 2.4 to 24.9, with an AM of 10.1 ± 0.4. This study reveals variations in indoor radon concentrations, with dwellings having different internal covering materials.

Keywords

• cr-39
• dwellings
• internal covering
• radon