Earticle

초록

영어

Background: This study aims to reevaluate natural radiation exposure, following up on our previous study conducted in 2019, and to assess the associated risk of lung cancer to the public residing in the gold mining areas of Betare-Oya, east Cameroon, and its vicinity. Materials and Methods: Gamma-ray spectra collected using a 7.62 cm×7.62 cm in NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer during a car-borne survey, in situ measurements and laboratory measurements performed in previous studies were used to determine the outdoor absorbed dose rate in air to evaluate the annual external dose inhaled by the public. For determining internal exposure, radon gas concentrations were measured and used to estimate the inhalation dose while considering the inhalation of radon and its decay products. Results and Discussion: The mean value of the laboratory-measured outdoor gamma dose rate was 47 nGy/hr, which agrees with our previous results (44 nGy/hr) recorded through direct measurements (in situ and car-borne survey). The resulting annual external dose (0.29±0.09 mSv/yr) obtained is similar to that of the previous study (0.33±0.03 mSv/yr). The total inhalation dose resulting from radon isotopes and their decay products ranged between 1.96 and 9.63 mSv/yr with an arithmetic mean of 3.95±1.65 mSv/yr. The resulting excess lung cancer risk was estimated; it ranged from 62 to 216 excess deaths per million persons per year (MPY), 81 to 243 excess deaths per MPY, or 135 excess deaths per MPY, based on whether risk factors reported by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, United Nations Scientific Committee on the effects of Atomic Radiation, or International Commission on Radiological Protection were used, respectively. These values are more than double the world average values reported by the same agencies. Conclusion: There is an elevated level of risk of lung cancer from indoor radon in locations close to the Betare-Oya gold mining region in east Cameroon. Therefore, educating the public on the harmful effects of radon exposure and considering some remedial actions for protection against radon and its progenies is necessary.

목차

ABSTRACT
Introduction
Materials and Methods
1. Survey Area and Route
2. External Exposure to Natural Radiation
3. Internal Exposure to Natural Radiation
4. Excess Lung Cancer Risk Estimates
Results and Discussion
1. External Exposure to Natural Radiation
2. Internal Exposure Due to Radon, Thoron, and Thoron Progeny
3. Excess Lung Cancer Risk Estimates
Conclusion
Conflict of Interest
Acknowledgements
Ethical Statement
Data Availability
Author Contribution
References

키워드

저자

• Joseph Emmanuel Ndjana Nkoulou II [ Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon; Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaoundé, Cameroon ] Corresponding Author
• Louis Ngoa Engola [ Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Buea, Buea, Cameroon ]
• Guy Blanchard Dallou [ Faculty of Science and Techniques, Marien Ngouabi University, Brazzaville, Congo; National Institute of Research in Exact and Natural Science, Brazzaville, Congo ]
• Saïdou [ Research Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, Institute of Geological and Mining Research, Yaoundé, Cameroon; Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon ]
• Daniel Bongue [ Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon ]
• Masahiro Hosoda [ Department of Radiation Sciences, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hirosaki, Japan ]
• Moïse Godefroy Kwato Njock [ Centre for Atomic Molecular Physics and Quantum Optics, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon ]
• Shinji Tokonami [ Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, Hirosaki, Japan ]

참고문헌

발행기관

간행물

표지보기 관심저널 등록

• 간행물명

  방사선방어학회지 [Journal of Radiation Protection and Research]

• 간기

  계간

• pISSN

  2508-1888

• 수록기간

  1976~2026

• 등재여부

  KCI 등재,SCOPUS

• 십진분류

  KDC 559 DDC 629