title: Radon level in a Nigerian University Campus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Globally, radon is a natural contaminant that affects indoor air quality. Several epidemiological studies have implicated high radon levels in the causality of lung cancer. The study therefore determined the environmental level of radon in selective offices in the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design. A Pro 3-series radon detector was used to determine the radon levels in randomly selected offices. The instrument was set-up in each office and after 48 h, reading was taken and recorded on a proforma data sheet. The structural characteristics of the offices were also assessed by observation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The result revealed that the radon level obtained in the sampled offices ranged from 0.0 to 5.3 pCi/L (196 Bq/m(3)). The median concentration of radon obtained from sampled offices was 0.9 pCi/L. Almost all (95 %) of the offices had radon levels within the 'permissible' reference level recommended by World Health Organization. Radon levels also showed a statistically significant decline with height of office building with the mean concentration of radon in offices located on the basement, ground floor and first floor being 1.54 ± 1.32, 0.99 ± 0.56, 0.63 ± 0.41 pCi/L respectively, (F statistic 5.8, p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The radon levels obtained in most assessed offices in Obafemi Awolowo University were found to be within the permissible reference levels. Mitigation measures should be put in place in the few offices above permissible levels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. temitopesegun@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Olusegun Temitope
authors.initials: OT
authors.lastname: Afolabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. deborahfalode@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Deborah Tolulope
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Esan
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. bosunbanjoko@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Bosun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Banjoko
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ffajes@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Benjamin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Fajewonyomi
authors.affiliation: Depatment of E.N.T., Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria. pilgrimhouse2012@gmail.com.
authors.forename: James Enajero
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Tobih
authors.affiliation: Department of Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. olukay27@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Babakayode Babajide
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Olubodun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D014495:Universities
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon