Preliminary Evaluation of Indoor Radon Exposure Levels in Students' Halls of Residence at the Northern Campus (New Site) of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana

摘要

The study seeks to present Radon exposure levels in some rooms within halls of residence at the New Site of the University of Cape Coast, Ghana determined using LR-115 TypeII Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) and E-PERM detecting systems. Pieces of the plastic LR-115 detectors were covered with aluminium foil and fixed in plastic holder such that the active part (coated part) of the detector was exposed (bare), facing downwards and together with the E-PERM were placed at a location in each of the selected rooms in the halls of residence for 30 days. The voltages of the E-PERMs were taken using the SPER-1 Reader whilst the LR-115 was chemically etched to reveal the alpha tracks. The mean radon exposure level for LR-115 was 6.8 mSv (range: 3.1- 9.1 mSv) whiles the mean exposure for the E-PERM was 3.6 mSv (range: 1.7-5.3 mSv). The results obtained also indicated that the exposure levels measured by both the E-PERM and the LR-115 detectors were generally below the Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) guideline limit of 8 mSv. However, some rooms had their exposure levels (measured with the LR-115 detector) above the remedial guideline limit of 8 mSv, but far below the immediate action limit of 20 mSv. Most of a student time is spent indoors. There is therefore the need to have a fair idea the radon concentration and exposure levels in rooms since radon has been identified as a carcinogenic gas.