Environment Minister urges improved ventilation to reduce radon exposure

The Minister of Science and Environment, Dr Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, has urged Ghanaians to improve ventilation in their homes to minimise exposure to radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.

She made the call during a familiarisation visit to the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), where she engaged experts on their work and explored opportunities for stronger collaboration to address environmental radiation risks.

Dr Agyemang-Rawlings also urged the Commission to accelerate efforts to develop legislation to protect the public from the harmful effects of radon exposure.

An executive member of the Commission, Eric Tetteh Glover, explained that radon is released from rocks and soil and can accumulate inside buildings, particularly in poorly ventilated spaces.

He warned that prolonged exposure to high concentrations of the gas increases the risk of lung cancer.

Mr Glover noted that Ghana currently has no specific legislation requiring radon inspections during house construction. He said the Commission was working to address this gap to ensure that radon risks in buildings are identified and managed.

Experts say improving ventilation can help lower indoor radon levels. However, they stress that testing is important to determine whether a building contains elevated concentrations of the gas.