Indoor Radon Concentration and Ventilation Rate in Some Elementary Schools in Ibadan, Nigeria

Emmanuel Akinbami Oyelade, Alaba Tolulope Agbele, Olufisayo Olalekan Awe, Kalid Abayomi Bello and Victor Shegun Oluwatuyi
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Emmanuel Akinbami Oyelade: Department of Science Education, Federal University of Lafia, Nigeria
Alaba Tolulope Agbele: Department of Medical Physics, Tehran University of Medical Science, Iran Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, Nigeria
Olufisayo Olalekan Awe: Department of Basic Sciences (Physics Electronics Unit), Babcock University Ilishan Remo, Nigeria
Kalid Abayomi Bello: Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, Nigeria
Victor Shegun Oluwatuyi: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti, Nigeria

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation, 2020, vol. 7, issue 7, 45-48

Abstract: Introduction: This study aimed to find the correlation between indoor radon concentration and ventilation rate in some selected elementary schools in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. The schools and the rooms were selected on the basis of different natural ventilation conditions. Materials and methods: The measurements of indoor radon concentrations were performed by using a passive diffusion cup technique fitted with CR-39 detectors. The values of indoor radon concentration vary from 103 Bq/m3 to 362 Bq/m3 with an average value of 196 Bq/m3. However, the value of effective dose ranged between 0.65 mSvy-1 and 2.28 mSvy-1, with an average value of 0.45 mSvy-1. The approximate natural ventilations rates of the selected rooms were calculated using ventilation formulae. The measurements were aimed to investigate the effect of ventilation rate on indoor radon concentration. Results: The results of the present study indicate that there is a high correlation between radon concentration and ventilation rate. Ventilation rate is inversely proportional to indoor radon concentration. By and large, all the results of indoor radon concentration are found to be lower than the recommended action level (1000 – 1500 Bq/m3) for workplaces by the International Commission of Radiation Protection (ICRP). Also, the values of the effective dose levels are found to be lower than the average value of 10 mSvy-1. Conclusion: Radon concentration is expected to be higher during the cold season when ventilation would be low. Therefore, there is need to improve on ventilation and other means of mitigation in some classrooms where radon concentrations were relatively high.

Date: 2020
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