MEASUREMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TO RADON IN SOME OFFICES OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA USING RAD7
MEASUREMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE TO RADON IN SOME OFFICES OF THE FACULTY OF SCIENCE, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA USING RAD7
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2016-11
Authors
BABAKANO, MUHAMMAD JADA
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This study determined the radon concentration measurements and the corresponding annual effective dose rates in some offices of the Faculty of Science, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria. The method adopted is a 2-day, sniff rapid recovery radon measurement protocol for short term measurement using Statistical analysis tools that track concentration averages and uncertainties. Radon levels were sniffed in each of the offices within the studied area using an electronic radon detector, RAD7. The activity concentration of radon in some of the offices were found to be low which ranges from 102Bqm-3 to 136Bqm-3 while in some other offices radon levels are found to be high. Higher values found ranges from201Bqm-3 to 276 Bqm-3. The average value found within the studied area is 165 Bqm-3. Most of the results obtained are within the world standard limits of 200 Bqm-3 given by ICRP (1994). The effective dose was evaluated based on the concentration of the radon gas and the time spent indoors. The annual effective dose rate (indoor) found within the study area ranges from 0.44 to 1.18 mSvy-1with an average of 0.74mSvy-1. The results found are below the ICRP recommended effective dose action levels of 3-10 mSvy-1. Our results showed that most of the offices were found with indoor radon concentrations below the action level provided by the International Commission on Radiological Protection of 200 Bqm-3 while some few offices have results higher than the action level of 200 Bqm-3 which indicates a radiological health hazard when they are not mitigated. However, the relatively high concentrations in some offices can be reduced by increasing the natural ventilation in the offices by or supply the offices with suction fans to pull out the radon inside them. The results obtained indicate that the indoor radon concentration was significantly affected by ventilation channels.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF POSTGRADUATE STUDIES,
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AWARD OF A
MASTER DEGREE IN RADIATION BIOPHYSICS.
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS,
FACULTY OF SCIENCE
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA
NIGERIA
Keywords
MEASUREMENT,, ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE,, RADON,, OFFICES,, FACULTY,, SCIENCE,, AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY ZARIA,, RAD7