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U.S. Department of Energy
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Age-dependent lung doses from ingested /sup 222/Rn in drinking water

Journal Article · · Health Phys.; (United States)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency currently is considering regulatory standards limiting the concentration of /sup 222/Rn in public drinking water supplies. As part of this effort, a criteria document has been prepared detailing the health risks expected to occur from the presence of /sup 222/Rn in water used in homes. The present report examines the dose equivalent delivered to lung tissue following direct ingestion of /sup 222/Rn in water. Irradiation from both in-situ decay of /sup 222/Rn in lung tissue and the decay of /sup 222/Rn in lung air passages following exhalation are examined and results presented for ages from neonate through adult. These results indicate that the risk of lung cancer from inhalation of airborne progeny following emanation of /sup 222/Rn from water into home air is significantly greater than the risk from both irradiation pathways considered in ingestion at all ages.
Research Organization:
Univ. of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
OSTI ID:
6571383
Journal Information:
Health Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: Health Phys.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN HLTPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English