Radon-222 levels in New York State homes

Results are presented from a statewide survey that measured annual 222Rn concentrations in over 2000 single-family, owner-occupied homes in New York state. The participants were selected by a random-digit-dialing telephone interview approach developed by Mitofsky-Waksberg which allows inferences to be made from the sample to the statewide population. After completing a telephone questionnaire and agreeing to have their homes monitored, eligible households were mailed alpha-track detectors with instructions to place one detector in the main living area for 2 mo (during the winter heating season), a second in the main living area for 1 y, and a third in the basement (if applicable) for 1 y. The statewide median concentration for the heating-season, living-area readings was 31.6 Bq m-3, with a median of 24.0 Bq m-3 for the annual living-area readings and 51.8 for the annual basement readings. For the state, approximately 95% of the living-area concentrations and 86% of the basement concentrations were below 148 Bq m-3 (4 pCi L-1). In addition, only 1.4% of the readings in the basement were above 740 Bq m-3 (20 pCi L-1).