Scientists call for regulation on radon gas to reduce lung cancers

Scientists have called for a national policy framework to regulate and mitigate the effects of radon gas especially for people who spend long hour indoors.

The framework is to culminate into a biting legislature that would compel Real Estate Developers to produce certificate of radon gas testing before their products sold.

The legislation is also to ensure that individual house owners do a mandatory soil testing before erecting their structures.

The scientists were sharing their knowledge on radon at a stakeholder's forum organised by the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) in Accra on Thursday.

The forum, which formed part of GAEC's 60th anniversary celebration, was to create awareness about radon and the way forward.

Scientists

The scientists were Prof. David Okoh Kpeglo-- Manager, Environmental Radiation Protection Institute;  Karen Happuch- Osekre-- deputy director, Geotechnical and Engineering Geology, Ghana Geological Survey

Authority; Desmond Boahene, Deputy Chief Inspector of Technical Service and exploration, Mineral's Commission; and Prof. Augustine Faanu, Director, Radiological Directorate, Nuclear Regulatory Authority.

There were also presentations by Dr Irene Opoku-Ntim, Prof. Francis Otoo and Dr Samuel Teye, all of GAEC to educate the public mainly from the GAEC community on radon at the workplace, measures to mitigate the effects and its health effects.

Sharing a number of research findings by fellow scientists across the globe, they concluded that radon gas could reduce one's age by 17 years.

Radon Gas

Radon gas is a naturally occuring, colourless, tasteless, and odourless radioactive gas that forms from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It could seep into buildings and accumulate, particularly in enclosed spaces.

Radon could enter buildings through small cracks in floors, walls, foundations, and other openings in contact with soil.

Poorly ventilated spaces, basements, and ground floors are often at higher risk for radon accumulation.

Effects

It has been established that long-term exposure to high levels of radon could lead to lung cancer.

In fact, the scientists were unanimous that radon was the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

Exposure increases cancer risk, especially for smokers and those who spend extended time indoors in radon-prone areas.

Variation

It levels vary geographically based on soil composition and building practices.

Although comprehensive data in Ghana is emerging, certain areas may have elevated levels due to soil uranium content.

Ongoing studies and environmental assessments are needed to determine regional radon levels.

Testing

Radon levels are measured using specialised detector, which can be either short-term (Between two and seven days) or long term (Up to 90 days or  more) for a more accurate reading.
Radon is undetected without specialized equipment.

Long term exposure to elevated radon levels increases the risk of lung cancer.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), radon is responsible for approximately 3-14 per cent of all lung cancers, depending on national radon levels and smoking prevalence.

Solution

To reduce the negative impact of radon gas on humans especially the Ghanaian workforce, the scientists proposed regular testing and monitoring as the first step to understanding radon levels in homes and workplaces.

Also, they called for improving air circulation and ventilation as well as sealing crack floors, walls, and foundations.

They proposed that families and offices reduce the use of air-conditions, open windows for natural air and spend more time outdoors if possible.

Equipment

GAEC recently took delivery of an equipment for the detection of radon gas, making it the first and only African country to have it.
Contributions 

The Board Chairman of GAEC, Dr Kwaku Aning, in his contribution said there were a lot of data already in the system and what GAEC needed to do was to develop a paper to be presented to cabinet to task a specific agency to develop the policy guideline.