Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 2.6
Lung Cancer Deaths in the U.S. Attributed to Radon Exposure
Lung cancer death rate per year
Population (1000s)
All causes
Radon-attributable
1986 population
Male
Never smoked
63,900
1900
200
Former smoker
26,100
42,200
4700
Current, light smoker
18,400
21,800
2600
Current, heavy smoker
9000
22,900
3100
Female
Never smoked
81,300
3100
300
Former smoker
17,100
14,800
1700
Current, light smoker
20,000
15,800
1900
Current, heavy smoker
5300
7900
1100
Male, total
117,400
88,800
10,700
Female, total
123,700
41,600
5000
Population, total
241,100
130,400
15,700
Source: From Nazaroff, W.W. and Teichmann, K., Environ. Sci. Technol ., 24, 774, 1990. With
permission.
New Jersey, as well as in other areas of the U.S. In such cases, residential
radon concentrations >100 pCi/L have been measured.
The increased lifetime risk of lung cancer attributable to radon can be
seen in Figure 2.10 , and the equivalency chart prepared by USEPA and
presented in its citizens' radon information guide in Figure 2.11 . Residing
in a home with an exposure of 4 WLM/yr above background (equivalent to
an annual exposure of 25 pCi/L) would be expected to triple the lung cancer
rate. In the USEPA radon risk evaluation chart, this would be equivalent to
smoking approximately 2 packs of cigarettes per day.
The lifetime risk estimates in the radon risk evaluation chart ( Figure
2.11 ) and the chart itself were designed to educate consumers about the
health hazard of radon exposure in their homes and the need to reduce
exposures in houses where testing has shown radon to be elevated above
the action level of 4 pCi/L annual average concentration. Risk estimates
shown in this chart are generic, unlike those shown in Table 2.6 . A logical
consumer interpretation of the USEPA chart would suggest that the 13,000
to 15,000 annual predicted lung cancer deaths are due to radon exposure
alone. For homeowners who have been the most concerned about radon
(nonsmokers and never smokers), cancer risk is much smaller than the chart
would suggest. Note that for never smokers, the estimated death rate is
<1000 per year ( Table 2.6 ) . For never smokers, the risk associated with radon
exposures in their home is very small, except in those houses that have very
high (>10 pCi/L) annual average concentrations.
The action level used by USEPA of 4 pCi/L (annual average concentra-
tion) is based on mitigation studies of houses constructed on uranium mill
tailings and phosphate mining wastes. After applying the best available
 
 
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