Open AccessHUMAN DISEASE FROM RADON EXPOSURES: THE IMPACT OF ENERGY CONSERVATION IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
Author(s) -
Robert J. Budnitz,
J.V. Berk,
C.D. Hollowell,
William W. Nazaroff,
A.V. Nero,
Arthur H. Rosenfeld
Publication year - 1979
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Reports
DOI - 10.2172/1009810
Subject(s) - radon , radon exposure , environmental science , environmental health , ventilation (architecture) , indoor air quality , air change , radon daughters , lung cancer , indoor air , environmental engineering , geography , meteorology , medicine , physics , quantum mechanics
The level of radon and its daughters inside conventional buildings is often higher than the ambient background level. Interest in conserving energy is motivating homeowners and builers to reduce ventilation and hence to increase the concentration of indoor generated air contaminants, including radon. It is unliekly that the current radiation levels in conventional homes and buildings from radon daughters could account for a significant portion of the lung cancer rate in non-smokers. However, it is likely that some increased lung cancer risk would result from increased radon exposures; hence, it is prudent not to allow radon concentrations to rise significantly. There are several ways to implement energy conservation measures without increasing risks