No abstract

No abstract

In this study, total suspended particulate matter (aerodynamic diameter range between 0.05 and 5 µm) levels in the vicinity of the Diamond Cement (DIACEM) Factory, Aflao, Ghana were measured and analyzed for As, Cr, Ni and Zn using multi-elemental technique of instrumental neutron-activation analysis. The primary objective of the study was to assess the human health risk of the trace metals exposure for children and adult population in four stratified zones in the study area. From the results, the mean dust level (538.92 µg/m 3 ) around the cement facility deviated completely from regulatory specification (150 µg/m 3 ) indicating massive air pollution in the area. The mean concentration (mg/kg) of trace metals in the area were found in the order of Ni (44.38) >Zn (25.65) > Cr (15.26) >As (2.87). The human-risk assessment study indicated that non-carcinogenic risk was insignificant but the risk of cancer could be probable. Ingestion exposure was the highest level of risk found for both adults and children population in the area. The study encourages more work as it cautioned that the current results cannot symbolize a general portrait of the cement industry in Ghana, explaining that similar facilities may differ in their pollution cleaning strategies and environmental conditions.

Energy is essential for economic development and improvement of quality of life in every human settlement. Considering her economic aspirations and population growth, Ghana’s energy demand, particularly that of electricity is sure to rise in coming years. Ghana’s total installed electricity generation capacity currently stands at 1810MW, with a current population is estimated to be 24.4 million based on 2010 population census. The country and for that matter is confronted with the challenge of meeting her energy needs in a cost effective and environmentally friendly manner so as to attain middle income status. This policy document presents nuclear power as the most versatile, convenient and competitive source of electrical energy that should be planned for now and will be worth introducing into Ghana’s energy mix for sustainable development of the country.  Nuclear Power Plants can serve as a competitive source of electrical energy for enhancing Ghana’s energy security and socio-economic development for her to attain middle income as purported by political policies.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.60.2.1109

No abstract

No abstract

Seasonal radon levels have been studied in dwellings and soils in selected areas in Ga East, Greater Accra Region of Ghana using LR-115-type II (SSNTDs). This study was conducted to determine the seasonal correlation between soil and dwelling radon concentrations. Detectors were exposed from January to March and April to June, for dry and wet seasons, respectively. Overall, indoor radon was 133.4 ± 6.7 Bqm−3 and 72.1 ± 3.6 Bqm −3 for wet and dry seasons. The estimated annual effective dose to the lung received by the occupants at Paraku Estate, Dome, and Kwabenya was 6.9 ± 0.4, 7.2 ± 0.5, and 9.8 ± 0.8 mSvy−1 for the wet season and 3.8 ± 0.2, 4.3 ± 0.2, and 4.6 ± 0.3 mSvy−1 for the dry season. On average, the soil radon concentration was found to be 0.96 ± 0.07 kBqm−3 and 2.24 ± 0.01 kBqm−3 for wet and dry seasons. To determine the correlation between soil and dwelling radon, a positive Pearson correlation coefficient value R = (0.74) and R = (0.66) was obtained representing the dry and wet seasons. To test the statistical significance between soil and dwelling radon, P < 0.05 was obtained, indicating a statically significant relationship between the two.

No abstract