Radon in homes. Council on Scientific Affairs

Journal Article · Fri Aug 07 04:00:00 EDT 1987 · JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6377526

Radon 222 and its radioactive decay products can enter buildings and, through inhalation, expose the inhabitants' pulmonary tissues to ionizing radiation. Studies of radon levels in the United States indicate that variations of 100-fold or greater exist among private dwellings. In one region, 55% of homes had levels exceeding 4 pCi/L (0.15 Bq/L), which is the guidance level recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Ventilation and tightness of construction are important determinants of radon levels. In some instances, fans or heat exchangers can reduce excessive concentrations, but in others more elaborate remedial measures may be required. Physicians may obtain information about radon through Environmental Protection Agency regional offices and state radiation control programs. The risk of radiogenic cancer is believed to increase with exposure to ionizing radiation. According to some estimates, concentrations of radon decay products in US homes could be responsible for several thousand cases of lung cancer per year. Studies of radon levels in representative buildings and guidelines are needed to ensure safe, effective, and cost-effective countermeasures. Architects, contractors, designers, building code administrators, health physicists, and biomedical investigators can help with solutions.

• OSTI ID: 6377526
• Journal Information: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States), Journal Name: JAMA, J. Am. Med. Assoc.; (United States) Vol. 258:5; ISSN JAMAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BODY
DAYS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
DISEASES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ISOTOPES
LUNGS
NEOPLASMS
NUCLEI
ORGANS
POLLUTION
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOINDUCTION
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON 222
RADON ISOTOPES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
VENTILATION