Effect of home construction on indoor radon in Virginia and Maryland

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Environ. Int.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(88)90428-X· OSTI ID:6034201

Mushrush, G W; Mose, D G

The levels of indoor radon in approximately 500 homes located in two contiguous counties of northern Virginia and southern Maryland have been measured during four consecutive, three month seasonal intervals using alpha-track detectors. These two counties represent an area of about 700 square miles. Results from the winter period show that the indoor radon levels were about twice as high as anticipated. In some areas, more than 50% of the homes had winter indoor radon levels above 4 pCi/liter, the EPA's recommended action level. For the spring and fall periods, indoor radon levels showed a considerable drop with approximately 35% of the homes above 4 pCi/L. Summer values were even lower with approximately 25% of the homes above 4 pCi/L.Indoor radon can be related to the weather, but home construction demonstrably determines indoor radon levels.

• Research Organization: George Mason Univ., Fairfax, VA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6034201
• Journal Information: Environ. Int.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Int.; (United States) Vol. 14:5; ISSN ENVID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500300* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
CONSTRUCTION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
FEDERAL REGION III
FLUIDS
GASES
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
MARYLAND
MONITORING
NATURAL RADIOACTIVITY
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
POLLUTION
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIOACTIVITY
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
USA
VARIATIONS
VIRGINIA