An analysis of the uncertainties in estimates of radon-induced lung cancer

Journal Article · Mon Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1992 · Risk Analysis; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1539-6924.1992.tb00675.x· OSTI ID:7160844

Puskin, J S ^[1]

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1. Office of Radiation Programs, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States)

A recent report by the National Academy of Sciences estimates that the radiation dose to the bronchial epithelium, per working level month (WLM) of radon daughter exposure, is about 30% lower for residential exposures than for exposures received in underground mines. Adjusting the previously published BEIR IV radon risk model accordingly, the unit risk for indoor exposures of the general population is about 2.2 x 10(-4) lung cancer deaths (lcd)/WLM. Using results from EPA's National Residential Radon Survey, the average radon level is estimated to be about 1.25 pCi/L, and the annual average exposure about 0.242 WLM. Based on these estimates, 13,600 radon-induced lcd/yr are projected for the United States. A quantitative uncertainty analysis was performed, which considers: statistical uncertainties in the epidemiological studies of radon-exposed miners; the dependence of risk on age at, and time since, exposure; the extrapolation of risk estimates from mines to homes based on comparative dosimetry; and uncertainties in the radon daughter levels in homes and in the average residential occupancy. Based on this assessment of the uncertainties in the unit risk and exposure estimates, an uncertainty range of 7000-30000 lcd/yr is derived.

• OSTI ID: 7160844
• Journal Information: Risk Analysis; (United States), Journal Name: Risk Analysis; (United States) Vol. 12:2; ISSN RIAND; ISSN 0272-4332
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540130* -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
560161 -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
BODY
BRONCHI
BUILDINGS
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
DISEASES
DOSES
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
EPIDEMIOLOGY
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ISOTOPES
LUNGS
MINING
NEOPLASMS
NONMETALS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
ORGANS
POLLUTION
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIOECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
RADIOINDUCTION
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RISK ASSESSMENT
UNDERGROUND MINING