Accra: Killer gas found at Dunkonaa

National Coordinator of NADMO, Mr Kofi Portuphy, told the Daily Graphic on Monday, that the emission was not a new phenomenon. A seemingly harmless gas that emits from the ground may be slowly and negatively affecting the health of people who live at Dunkonaa and its environs in the Ga-South municipality in the Greater Accra Region.Known as radon gas, the fume, which is colourless, odourless and tasteless, is known to be a major cause of respiratory infections, blood poisoning and lung cancer where it is highly concentrated.The National Coordinator of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Mr Kofi Portuphy, told the Daily Graphic on Monday, that the emission was not a new phenomenon.In 2000, studies conducted by a team of scientists, including scientists from the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, indicated that the gas coming out of the Dunkonaa area was highly concentrated.The study found that the potency of the Dunkonaa radon gas measured 2,000 Becquerel per square metre.Internationally, the allowable amount of radon gas for residential areas is 200 Becquerel per square metre.The United States of America (USA) has pegged 200 Becquerel per square metre as the permitted amount of emission for residential areas and even with that the structures must have enough ventilation.In the United Kingdom, the allowable amount is 150 Becquerel per square metre.Mr Portuphy revealed that following that study, NADMO discouraged the Ghana Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA), from building its estates in the area, although the association had laid infrastructure, including roads and drains.He said NADMO became curious when some residents of the area started reporting about the emission of smoke some years ago.He further stated that after the 1939 earthquake in the then Gold Coast, scientists advised state officials that Dunkonaa was a weak zone, since it was an earthquake epicentre, a situation which allowed the poisonous gas to emit in such quantity.According to residents of the area, the name ‘Dunkonaa’ was an adulterated one...