Radon: Is it a problem

Journal Article · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1989 · Radiology; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1148/radiology.172.3.2549562· OSTI ID:5346889

Hart, B L; Mettler, F A; Harley, N H ^[1]

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1. Univ. of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque (USA)

Radon gas is a major source of radiation exposure to the general public. Radon-222 is a product of uranium-238, present in varying concentrations in all soils. Radon enters buildings from soil, water, natural gas, and building materials. Its short-lived breakdown products, termed radon daughters, include alpha-emitting solids that can deposit in the lungs. Firm evidence links lung cancer risk in miners with high exposure to radon daughters. The amount of risk associated with the much lower but chronic doses received in buildings is difficult to establish. By some extrapolations, radon daughters may be responsible for a significant number of lung cancer deaths. The existence or extent of synergism with smoking is unresolved. Local conditions can cause high levels of radon in some buildings, and measures that reduce indoor radon are of potential value. 39 references.

• OSTI ID: 5346889
• Journal Information: Radiology; (USA), Journal Name: Radiology; (USA) Vol. 172:3; ISSN RADLA; ISSN 0033-8419
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500300 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560161* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DISEASES
DOCUMENT TYPES
DOSES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ISOTOPES
LUNGS
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
POLLUTION
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON 222
RADON ISOTOPES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
REVIEWS
RISK ASSESSMENT