Abstract:
Radiation and radioactive isotopes form part of our natural environment. Elevated levels of these
radioactive isotopes in the environment can pose a threat to our health. Although it cannot be
detected by human senses, radon and its progenies are a public health concern because they can
cause lung cancer when inhaled over a period of time. This thesis seeks to provide the life time
risk of lung cancer due to inhalation of the measured concentrations and the interpretation of any
possible correlations that may exist between the concentration, housing characteristics and
altitude
Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD, LR-115 type II) was deployed in 82 homes at
Kpong for a period of three months (October-December 2016), the detectors were etched in 2.5
M sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution at (60±1) ºC, for 90 minutes, digitally scanned and
counted at the Nuclear Track Detection Laboratory of the National Nuclear Research Institute
(NNRI), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC).
Indoor radon concentration (IRC) for the town was found to range from 4.05-176.27 (Bqm-3)
with mean 57.19±38.9 (Bqm-3). The values 0.12±0.08 (WLMy-1), 0.71±0.48 (mSvy-1), 0.39±0.26
(%) were the mean; radon exposure, effective dose to the lung and the excess lifetime cancer risk
respectively. Generally there was weak correlation between indoor concentration and the
selected housing characteristics but not significant (Prob>F=0.20).
The mean IRC at Kpong have been found to be below the recommended limit (100Bqm-3) set by
WHO with very low estimated lifetime lung cancer risk hence dwellers are safe as far as risk
attributable to radon exposure is concerned.
