Indoor radon concentration data: Its geographic and geologic distribution, an example from the Capital District, NY
- Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY (United States)
- C.E.S., Gabon (Central African Republic)
- CMT Independent Laboratories, Clifton Park, NY (United States)
Most studies of the geographic distribution of indoor radon levels are plotted by county or ZIP code. This method is used for the radon potential maps produced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH). The basis for the mapping is the mean or median indoor radon count for all the data provided by NYSDOH within each geographic area. While testing the indoor radon analyses provided to the authors by CMT Independent Laboratories, we discovered data that deviated markedly from the EPA and NYSDOH means for the Capital District of New York (Albany and surrounding counties). Their screening indoor radon average concentrations in pCi/L, indicate low potential for Schenectady (3.0), Saratoga (3.2), and Albany (3.7) counties; and moderate potential for Rensselaer (6.4) and Columbia (7.0) counties. Our database of over 3,000 analyses contains over 800 records of indoor radon counts above 4 pCi/L (14-47% of each county`s analyses), many high enough to be rated as a serious health hazard. In order to obtain greater precision of information, the authors plotted their indoor radon data by street address using MapInfo, a geographic Information System (GIS), and StreetInfo, MapInfo`s TIGER address database. We compared the geographic distribution of our data to both the Bedrock Geology and Surficial Geology Maps of New York State. The results show a striking relationship of radon concentrations to bedrock, faults and permeability of surficial material. Data being compiled and mapped by street address by the NYSDOH in Erie County in western New York, confirm our results.
- OSTI ID:
- 159998
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9510208-; ISSN 0149-1423; TRN: 96:005937
- Journal Information:
- AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 79, Issue 9; Conference: American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG) Eastern Section meeting, Schnectady, NY (United States), 15-17 Oct 1995; Other Information: PBD: Sep 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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