Indoor radon levels in some selected nursery and primary schools in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

Publication date: Available online 1 August 2018Source: Journal of Radiation Research and Applied SciencesAuthor(s): R.I. Obed, E.A. Oyelade, H.T. LateefAbstractA radon survey was carried out in some nursery and primary schools located in Ibadan-North Local Government of Oyo State, Nigeria. Radon concentration was measured using passive diffusion cup technique fitted with CR-39 detectors. The detectors were exposed for a period of 90 days in different locations inside the school buildings: classrooms and offices. After this period, the detectors were etched with 6.25M NaOH at 90 °C for 3 h. The tracks were counted and captured using a digital camera connected to a microscope and a laptop with the aid of VIMCRO USB software. The arithmetic mean of radon concentration in the studied area was 176.15 Bq/m3 and the mean annual effective dose to the lung was found to be 1.14 mSvy−1. These mean values of radon levels are considered safe while comparing with the upper reference level of 1000 Bq/m3, the action level recommended for workplaces by The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP, 2014).
Source: Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences - Category: Physics Source Type: research