The indoor radon problem: Studies in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02574731· OSTI ID:5968854

Brookins, D G ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque (United States)

Radon buildup in homes is now recognized throughout the world as a potentially major health hazard. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimate 8,000-30,000 fatalities per year in the US due to indoor radon. The Albuquerque, New Mexico area was chosen for study because it is representative of metropolitan areas in the southwestern US where slightly uraniferous source rocks (Sandia granite) have provided the very immature soil for much of the area. The granite contains 4.7 ppm U, and limestone capping the granite 5.7 ppm U. Soils in the area average 4.24 ppm U, and Th/U ratios average 3.2. These data suggest some removal of U from the source rocks, but fixation of the U in the soils (that is, opposed to wide-spread removal of the U by solution), thus providing a ready source for soil radon. A pilot study of soil radon in the area in winter of 1983-1984 shows high values, 180 pCi/l, relative to the US average (about 100 pCi/l). In the winter of 1986-1987, 180 dwellings were surveyed for their indoor radon levels, including 20 that had been surveyed in summer of 1986. Twenty-eight percent of those in the winter study yielded indoor radon above the EPA suggested maximum permissible level of 4 pCi/l air, well above the EPA estimate of 10-15 dwellings for the US. The indoor radon levels show positive correlation with closeness to the Sandia Mountains, to soil radon, to excess insulation, to homes with solar capacities, and other factors. Building materials may provide a very minor source of some indoor radon. Summer readings are lower than winter readings except when the houses possess refrigerated air conditioning.

• OSTI ID: 5968854
• Journal Information: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Geology and Water Sciences; (United States) Vol. 12:3; ISSN 0177-5146; ISSN EGWSE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540230 -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ACTINIDES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BUILDINGS
CHEMISTRY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
FEDERAL REGION VI
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MASS TRANSFER
MEASURING METHODS
METALS
MONITORING
NEW MEXICO
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOIL CHEMISTRY
URANIUM
USA