Validation of a geologically based radon risk map: are the indoor radon concentrations higher in high-risk areas?

Since geographically coded information is frequently used in studies of the relationships between environmental factors and illness at the population level and by authorities for promotion of mitigation, knowledge about the validity of proxy measures is essential. This study was an evaluation of a geologically based map describing the risk for high radon levels, which was used by the municipal authorities to determine the necessity of remedial actions. Annual mean radon gas concentrations for a random sample of one-family homes selected from high-risk areas (n = 252) were compared with those of a random sample of homes from normal and low-risk areas (n = 259). No difference in geometric mean radon concentration was found between the areas, 101 Bq m(-3) and 103 Bq m(-3), respectively. The proportion of homes in each area with radon gas concentrations above the current Swedish administrative limit value for mitigation (400 Bq m(-3)) was similar, approximately 10%. We conclude that the radon risk map was unsuitable for identifying areas of concern. The findings also indicate that geologically based and geographically coded information as a proxy for human exposures can be safely used for scientific and administrative purposes only following validation.