By Precious Ireoluwa
The need to enlighten people about the harmful effects of radiation on humans and their surroundings came to the fore at the 87th inaugural lecture of the Ekiti State University, Ado -Ekiti, EKSU.
The lecture,titled, “Living With Radiation: Can Man Tame Ubiquitous Aetiological Agent And The Silent Killer”? was held at the main auditorium of the institution and delivered by a Professor of Radiation and Health Physics of the University, Professor Ebenezer Babatope Faweya.
The inaugural lecturer described radiation as the propagation of energy through space at the speed of light. According to him, “this energy has an electric field and a magnetic field associated with it and has wave-like properties”.
He explained that radiation and radioactivity existed long before life evolved on the earth and are indispensable parts of the environment. Adding that “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 radiopotassium, radon, thoron and their progeny in our lungs and they emit ionizing radiation”.
Prof. Faweya further posited that the radiation coming from the sun is due to the nuclear fusions and it is very essential for the existence of life on earth. Therefore, humans live in a naturally radioactive world. Pointing out that all organisms, human beings on the earth are benefiting from radiation in a direct way without realizing it. Without radiation he remarked, life does not exist.
The Dean of Science of EKSU, said depending on its effects on matters and its ability to ionize the matter, radiation is classified in two main categories : ionizing and non-ionizing radiations.
He referred to ionizing radiation as the type passing through the matter that breaks the bonds of atoms or molecules by removing the electron. While non-ionizing radiation is a type of electromagnetic radiation where there is insufficient energy to cause ionization.
Two important sources of radiation were identified as natural and man-made.
Driving home his points, Prof. Faweya believes that some common ways to reduce radon levels in existing buildings, environments, foodstuff and water are:
– Increasing under-floor ventilation,
– Installing a randon sump system in the basement or under a solid floor,
– Avoiding the passage of radon from the basement into living spaces,
– Sealing floors and walls, and improving the ventilation of the building, especially in the context of energy conservation,
– Our water should be tested for radon before consumption among other remedies .
He recommended that the government should evolve policies like providing information on levels of radon indoors and the associated health risks, implement a national radon programme aimed at reducing both the overall population risk and the individual risk for people living with high radon concentrations, promoting education for building professionals and providing financial support to remove radon from existing buildings among others.
