The Deputy Director of the Radiation Protection Institute (RPI) of GAEC, Dr. Joseph Amoako, has cautioned the public over the negative impact of Radon gas inhalation on human health.
Dr. Amoako, who spoke in an interview, described the situation as worrying since the public does not know of Radon gas and its potential devastating effects on human health.
He described Radon gas simply as naturally occurring gas found in rock and soils. These substances are capable of causing lung cancer and other degenerative diseases in humans.
According to him radon gas is mostly emitted from underground, especially through tiny invisible cracks in the floor of buildings. He stressed the need for a law that that ensures radon gas concentration tests on particular sites before buildings are put up.
Responding to questions on how it affects unsuspecting victims, he explained that the radon concentrations become very high in a room that has been locked up for hours without proper ventilation, especially at locations that may have high radon concentrations. “So it is advisable to open your doors and windows to allow natural ventilation to take place before you turn on the air-conditioners or funs”, he added.
He furthered explained that this practice can reduce the incidence of lung cancer and other infections attributed to the inhalation of radon gas.
Dr. Amoako stressed on the need for a national policy that regulates the monitoring of radon gas levels before buildings are put up at various locations across the country.
“Unlike other developed countries around the world, checking for Radon levels at building construction sites in Ghana is voluntary. It is compulsory for estate developers in other countries so Ghana must encourage it”, he added.
He called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Scientific Institutions and the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to work on a regulatory framework that will ensure that strict radon gas testing procedure is adhered to before building construction works begin.
By: Thykingdom Kudesey / Office of Corporate and Public Affairs (OCPA) – GAEC
