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Radiation doses from radon in buildings.

G A Swedjemark1

  • 1National Institute of Radiation Protection, Environmental Laboratory, Stockholm, Sweden.

Medical Oncology and Tumor Pharmacotherapy
|January 1, 1987
PubMed
Summary

Radon daughter exposure indoors is a growing concern, potentially causing thousands of lung cancer cases. Mitigation strategies and measurement methods are available to reduce indoor radon levels.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Radiation Protection
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The correlation between lung cancer and radon daughter exposure in miners became estimable around 1970.
  • Increased awareness of high indoor radon daughter concentrations globally has heightened interest in radon in buildings over the past decade.
  • Radon gas enters homes from underground sources, building materials, and sometimes tap water, leading to variable indoor concentrations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the increasing concern regarding indoor radon daughter exposure and its health implications.
  • To provide an overview of estimated absorbed doses and potential lung cancer cases due to indoor radon.
  • To discuss existing efforts and available methods for mitigating indoor radon daughter concentrations.

Main Methods:

  • Estimation of absorbed dose in bronchial epithelium based on population data from various countries.
  • Calculation of potential future lung cancer cases in specific populations using expert estimations.
  • Review of established limits, recommendations, and building techniques for radon mitigation.

Main Results:

  • Indoor radon daughter concentrations and associated absorbed doses vary significantly across different countries and regions.
  • Estimated absorbed doses range from approximately 0.5 mGy a-1 in Great Britain to 2 mGy a-1 in Nordic countries, with Canada, USA, and West Germany averaging 1 mGy a-1.
  • Potential future lung cancer cases in Sweden are estimated between 100-3000, with a most probable figure of 1100, based on current indoor radon daughter exposure.

Conclusions:

  • Indoor radon daughter exposure poses a significant public health risk, with potential for a substantial number of future lung cancer cases.
  • Effective measurement techniques and building strategies exist to identify and reduce indoor radon daughter concentrations in both existing and new constructions.
  • International efforts are underway to establish limits and recommendations to decrease public exposure to indoor radon.

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