Professor Ebenezer Babatope Faweya of the Ekiti State University (EKSU),Ado-Ekiti has called on the Governments at all levels in the country to introduce policies that would tame radon tagged the “silent killer” in the society.
Faweya,a Professor of Radiation and Health Physics made the call on Tuesday while delivering 87th Inaugural Lecture of the Varsity titled: Living With Radiation: Can Man Tame The Ubiquitous Aetiological Agent And The Silent Killer?.
The University Lecturer who is the Dean Faculty of Sciences in the Ivory tower urged governments to provide information on levels of radon indoors and the associated health risks;implementing a national radon programme aimed at reducing both the overall population risk and the individual risk for people living with high radon concentrations.
Professor Faweya said,”We are continuously exposed to natural and artificial radiations. In addition to these,some of the radionuclides,such as polonium and radium are present in our bones,our muscle contains radiocarbon and radio potassium,radon thoron,and their progeny in our lungs,and they emit ionizing radiation.
“The radiation coming from the sun is due to the nuclear fusion,it is very essential for the existence of life on earth. Therefore,we live in a naturally radioactive world. All organisms including human beings on the earth are getting benefits from radiation in a direct way without realizing it. Therefore,without radiation,life does not exist.” Prof. Faweya posited.
He also suggested to governments the need to adopt as part of the policies aimed at taming radon by implementing radon prevention in building codes to reduce radon levels in buildings under construction,and radon programmes to ensure that the levels are below national reference levels:promoting education for building professionals and providing financial support to remove radon from existing buildings.
Stressing further on how to bring radon persistence under control,the erudite scholar listed out some common ways of reducing radon levels in existing buildings,environments,foodstuff and water which include,increasing under-floor ventilation;installing a random sump system in the basement or under a solid floor;avoiding the passage of random from the basement into living spaces;sealing floors and walls; and improving the ventilation of the building,especially in the context of energy conservation.
Professor Faweya added that straight forward and effective techniques exist to to reduce the concentration of radon in drinking water supplies by aeration or using granular activated carbon filters and that we should allow our water to settle for some hours after pumping before usage.
The Professor of Radiation and Health Physics urged people to shelf life of food purchase in the supermarket and should be examined thoroughly before consumption.
He further advised that “sites should be tested for radon soil gas before erecting buildings and our water should be tested for radon before consumption”.
In his remark, the EKSU Vice-Chancellor,Professor Ayodele Babatola urged other Professors in the varsity to endeavour at summoning courage and do same by emulating their colleague Professor Faweya.
Professor Babatola said they should come before the people and showcase the enormous knowledge they have acquired over the years in their various fields of specialization.