REVIEWING THE OCCURRENCE OF RADIATION SOURCED FROM BUILDING MATERIALS IN KANO METROPOLIS, NORTHWEST NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS ON HEALTH RELATED ISSUES

Abstract

The increased in human population of the urban Kano necessitated the need for establishment of new settlements to cater for the pressing needs. These settlements were built mostly from rocks, bricks, granites, and marbles that contain naturally occurring radionuclides such as Uranium-238, Potassium-40, Thorium-232 and Radium-226. These materials emit ionizing radiations that are harmful to man and other organisms. Reports elsewhere have it that high accumulation of radiation causes several clinical symptoms such as induced lung cancer, leukemia, cataracts, congenital malformations, haematopoietic syndrome and gastrointestinal syndrome among others. However, despite these negative impacts of radiation on public health, there is scarcity of information regarding to the type, amount and rate of exposure of people in the area to such radiation types. This study therefore aimed at reviewing the occurrence of radiation from the building materials and radiation-based syndrome to create awareness to the authorities concerned and scientific community on the inherent dangers of such radiations and possible mitigation strategies.

Keywords: Bricks, Concrete, Marble, Radiation.