Potential health effects of radon-222 to the general public from uranium milling

Conference · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5369337

Travis, C C; McDowell-Boyer, L M

This paper presents a discussion of the potential health risk that may result from present and future radon-222 releases at uranium mill tailings piles situated in the United States. These risks are contrasted with the health risk continually present as a consequence of background levels of radon-222 naturally present in the atmosphere. It is estimated that the current risk of lung cancer in the population due to uranium milling is less than 10/sup -4/ times the natural risk. In addition, it is estimated that future risks due to mill tailings will be approximately a factor of 10/sup 5/ lower than the natural radon-222 risk to the general public if stabilization of tailings piles is implemented. Thus, it appears the incremental population risk due to milling is insignificant with respect to the natural risk.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5369337
• Report Number(s): CONF-791009-39
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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