RADON CONCENTRATION ASSESSMENT IN BANK CELLARS IN THREE NIGERIAN CITIES

Abstract

Cellar workplaces are considered as confined environment with challenging indoor air quality having higher than normal pollutants particularly that of soil gas origin. Radon, a major soil gas, infiltrates and accumulates within indoor spaces and becomes harmful in the absence of ventilation. Radon level in bank basements (cellars) in Ilorin, Lagos and Akure have been sampled and analysed in this study. In Nigeria, most workers in basements are unaware of radon, and there is limited documented research on its health hazards. The survey parameters of radon concentrations were floor types, geographical locations and the influence of atmospheric conditions. Corentium monitor, a continuous, digital radon monitor, temperature meters and Prologue wireless weather station were used for the experiments. Annual average indoor radon concentration for the survey period was 23 Bq/m3. The calculated mean annual effective doses in basements and different floors were below the recommended ICTR level of 3 mSv/y.