Cancer fatalities from waterborne radon (Rn-222)

Journal Article · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Risk Analysis; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.1991.tb00583.x· OSTI ID:5395492

Crawford-Brown, D J ^[1]

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1. Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (USA)

A model of the biokinetics of radon in the human body following ingestion is developed from existing data. Calculations of the probability of cancer fatality from use of radon-laden water in the home then are presented. The pathways of emanation and ingestion are examined and shown to lead to roughly equal risks. The probability of fatal cancer resulting from lifetime use of water at a radon concentration of 1 pCi/L is shown to be 1 {times} 10(-6), with a reasonable range between 2 {times} 10(-7) and 5 {times} 10(-6). The allowed concentration consistent with an excess risk of 10(-4) then is approximately 100 pCi/L, which is exceeded in a significant fraction of U.S. water supplies. The lifetime number of premature deaths due to waterborne radon in the U.S. is estimated to lie between 5000 and 125,000, with a best estimate of 25,000.

• OSTI ID: 5395492
• Journal Information: Risk Analysis; (United States), Journal Name: Risk Analysis; (United States) Vol. 11:1; ISSN RIAND; ISSN 0272-4332
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560161* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BIOLOGICAL HALF-LIFE
CARCINOGENESIS
CONTAMINATION
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DISEASES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
DOSES
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE PATHWAY
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HEAVY NUCLEI
INGESTION
INTAKE
ISOTOPES
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
PATHOGENESIS
PROBABILITY
RADIATION DOSES
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON 222
RADON ISOTOPES
WATER SUPPLY