Measurement and distribution of radon and radon progeny: An overview of indoor-radon risk reduction in the United States
The paper presents an overview of indoor radon risk reduction in the U.S. EPA currently estimates that 15,000-20,000 Americans die each year from radon-induced lung cancer. The estimate is based on epidemiological data which establish the link between radon and lung cancer, and surveys which provide estimates of radon exposure to the American public. EPA and state cosponsored radon surveys conducted in 34 states have indicated that houses with elevated radon levels exist in all parts of the U.S. These surveys have also indicated that radon levels in individual houses cannot be predicted with any degree of accuracy with existing methods. Individual houses must be tested. Based on these surveys, the EPA estimates that up to 8 million houses have annual average radon levels in the living area which exceed EPA's action guideline of 150 Bq/cu m. Responding to the great health risk posed by indoor radon, EPA, through its comprehensive Radon Action Program, has focused on many activities designed to reduce risk to the public from indoor radon. Key activities in the effort include the research and development of risk-reduction technology and the transfer of the technology to state and local governments, private sector industry, and the public.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC (United States). Air and Energy Engineering Research Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 6995136
- Report Number(s):
- PB-93-107092/XAB; EPA-600/J-92/364
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Pub. in Jnl. of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, Articles, v161 n1 p265-272 1992. See also PB88-184908, PB90-160086 and PB90-274119
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
LUNGS
NEOPLASMS
RADIOINDUCTION
RADON
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
EPIDEMIOLOGY
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MITIGATION
RADIATION MONITORING
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RISK ASSESSMENT
US EPA
AIR POLLUTION
BODY
BUILDINGS
CONTROL
DISEASES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MONITORING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NONMETALS
ORGANS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
RARE GASES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
US ORGANIZATIONS
540130* - Environment
Atmospheric- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
560161 - Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology- Man