Impact of Building Materials on Human Exposure to Background Radiation

Impact of Building Materials on Human Exposure to Indoor and Outdoor Background Ionizing Radiation Levels is of striking importance because some of the materials used in the construction of buildings are known to be radioactive. It has been established that chronic exposure to even low dose rate of nuclear radiations from an irradiated building has the potential to induce cytogenetic damage (incidence of lung cancer) in human beings.The use of modern types of building materials has increased following the "urban revolution". Some of these materials may contain naturally occurring radioactive materials like radium, uranium, and thorium which decay into the radioactive gas radon. Radon contributes to the radiation dose received by human beings significantly. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in America. In Nigeria 10000 people die every year of cancer and there are 250000 recorded cases (WHO). This book will help create awareness and sensitize the general public that modern building materials are radioactive and when used extensively in buildings, may result to detrimental health effects.... Mehr