Location Based Approach to Determining the Effective Dose from Radon Concentrations in Residential Environments

Abstract

In this study, measurements of indoor radon concentrations were undertaken, and the annual effective dose to the residents relative to both general and field occupancy were estimated. The measurements were carried out in residential environments of Lagos Nigeria using CR-39 solid state nuclear track detectors. The detectors were mounted in ninety-eight different rooms within the selected buildings at approximate height of 2 m above the ground and exposed for a period of six months. Data were obtained from the residents with the use of semi-structured self-administered questionnaire. The indoor occupancy hour of 9.8, 1.8, 2.9 and 6.6 were recorded for bedroom, bathroom/ toilet, kitchen and living room respectively in the study area. The maximum and minimum occupancy factor recorded were 96% and 76% respectively from the data obtained. The dose received by a resident, ranged from 150.2 – 222.3 µSvy^-1 and 166.7 – 185.3 µSvy^-1 computed with the field occupancy factors and the general occupancy factor respectively.