Value of monitoring for radon in the home: a decision analysis
In light of the recent publicity about the adverse health effects of radon gas, many citizens and government officials are considering whether or not to monitor for radon in homes. This paper presents a formal decision analysis of the monitoring dilemma from the perspective of hypothesized homeowners. The analysis considers the costs of radon monitoring and control, the carcinogenic risks of radon exposure, the demographics of household size, and a hypothetical homeowner's knowledge of radon exposure levels-with and without the benefit of specific monitoring data. Since monitoring every home in the United States would be quite expensive, the analysis reveals some more efficient monitoring strategies that might be employed by citizens and government officials. While the paper presents a new analytic perspective in the monitoring problem, the results should not be considered definitive. Further study is necessary to clarify precisely what is known about radon exposure, health effects, and control strategies.
- Research Organization:
- Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5992619
- Journal Information:
- JAPCA, Int, J. Air Pollut. Control Waste Manage.; (United States), Journal Name: JAPCA, Int, J. Air Pollut. Control Waste Manage.; (United States) Vol. 38:11; ISSN JIJME
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
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
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
BUILDINGS
CARCINOGENESIS
CONTROL
COST
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MONITORING
NONMETALS
PATHOGENESIS
POLLUTION
POLLUTION CONTROL
RADIATION MONITORING
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RISK ASSESSMENT