https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06684-4
Regular Article
Assessment of indoor radon (222Rn) levels and associated radiological risks in occupational buildings and dwellings in Kampala, Uganda
Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Uganda
Received:
14
June
2025
Accepted:
22
July
2025
Published online:
9
August
2025
Radon-222 (222Rn) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, posing a public health concern. Assessing indoor 222Rn levels in occupational and residential environments is essential for radiological risk evaluation. In this study, indoor 222Rn concentrations were measured using a continuous radon monitor (CRM) in 20 buildings across Kampala City, Uganda. In occupational buildings, 222Rn concentrations ranged from 8.7 ± 1.5 to 95.8 ± 8.0 Bq m−3, with a mean of 30.8 ± 4.5 Bq m−3. Poorly ventilated storage rooms showed elevated levels, with a maximum of 194.8 ± 21.2 Bq m−3, exceeding the WHO reference level of 100 Bq m−3. In dwellings, concentrations ranged from 15.3 ± 2.3 to 188.2 ± 8.2 Bq m−3, averaging 71.7 ± 17.5 Bq m−3. Some dwellings recorded values above the WHO threshold. The average annual effective doses were 0.32 ± 0.05 mSv y−1 in occupational buildings and 0.75 ± 0.18 mSv y−1 in dwellings, both below the recommended public limit of 1.0 mSv y−1. Additional radiological parameters, including annual equivalent dose, excess lifetime cancer risk and potential lung cancer cases, were also evaluated. Statistical analysis revealed a strong positive correlation between 222Rn concentrations and radiological hazard indices, as well as a positive correlation with indoor humidity and a weak negative correlation with temperature. These findings highlight the importance of controlling humidity and enhancing ventilation to mitigate indoor radon risks. Although indoor 222Rn levels in the surveyed buildings were generally low and unlikely to pose significant health risks, continued monitoring is recommended to capture seasonal variability and ensure long-term radiological protection for occupants.
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06684-4.
Copyright comment Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
© The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Società Italiana di Fisica and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2025
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
