[ RadSafe ] Mr. Connell states basis for radon risk reduction "havebeen rejected by legitimate scientists for decades"

[Brennan, Mike (DOH)]

This is a worth-while study: http://radsci1.home.mchsi.com/irlcs.pdf

As for "...including referencing the EPA documents which clearly state that they have never found ANY support for their position, and where the EPA admits that when radon goes up, cancer rates go down.", I would be willing to bet a fair sum that the EPA Radiation and Indoor Air people would not agree with that assessment of the documents, and might well take exception to it.

While it is not a study, here is an article about a situation I was slightly involved in: http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2009/mar/08/a-silent-danger/.  The woman in the article is a never-smoker, living in and from non-smoking households, and working in a smoke free workplace.  She was diagnosed with lung cancer.  When her home was tested for radon the levels on the main floor, including in her bedroom, were around 250 pCi/l.  I am not a radi-phobe, but that's a lot of radon.  I acknowledge that we do not know for certain what induced her cancer, but I know what I consider to be the most likely suspect. 

-----Original Message-----
From: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl [mailto:radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl] On Behalf Of William Levy
Sent: Monday, May 04, 2009 8:21 AM
To: radsafe at radlab.nl
Subject: [ RadSafe ] Mr. Connell states basis for radon risk reduction "havebeen rejected by legitimate scientists for decades"

Radsafe list readers and radon experts

I* have been a discussion recently concering radon and 226 Ra in drywall on a home inspector message board and this was my comment*: ( the previous posts on the thread  *I do not see yo make any reference to an EPA document or published article by EPA or other accepted study source.*

*Mr Connell reply :*

That's because you don't follow the radon discussions and, frankly, you don't know much about radon. I actually have provided several references to back up what I say on this board, including referencing the EPA documents which clearly state that they have never found ANY support for their position, and where the EPA admits that when radon goes up, cancer rates go down.

Here's a link to that thread in particular:
SLRDs vs. Radon measurements - The Inspector's Journal Forums<http://www.inspectorsjournal.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6813>

Additionally, if you want authoritative references I have dozens listed on my web discussions:

Radon: Risk and Reality<http://www.forensic-applications.com/radon/reviews.html>
and
Radon: Truth vs. myth<http://www.forensic-applications.com/radon/radon.html>

In turn, I will challenge you (or your buddy) to find one, just ONE, just ONE measly study that has measured the levels of radon in an home and found a positive correlation with lung cancer, devoid of confounders. Bill - find JUST ONE valid study. Goodness, that's not too much to ask.

Yes, I'm familiar with your certifications, I've been through the certification process - it's pitched at a seventh grade level of education.
(I'm the only person I know who aced the EPA exam! What was your score?).
But my opinions aren't based a couple of EPA classes, rather it's based on twenty years experience in radiation toxicology and epidemiology and16 years experience as a Radiation Safety Officer.

Maybe you should actually read some of the EPA studies instead of the little public service pamphlets they give you. You will find references to those documents through the above links.

I don't mean to pick on you, Brother - I know you mean well, and I'm sure you are a solid and decent guy who thinks he's helping folks - and that's a good thing. *But the reality is that your services are built on an house of cards, that have been rejected by legitimate scientists for decades.*

Cheers!
Caoimhín P. Connell
Forensic Industrial Hygienist
Forensic Industrial Hygiene <http://www.forensic-applications.com/>


 Do any of the " legitimate scientists"  or even non-legitimate ones agree with Mr. Connell's conclusions ?

 FYI the entire thread is : with the radon posts close to the end:
http://www.inspectionnews.net/home_inspection/environmental-pests-health-safety-home-inspection-commercial-inspection/13134-new-mould-sampling-myths-page.html#post82934


Bill,


William Levy

ASSOCIATED RADON SERVICES

5136 SE Orange St.   Stuart, FL  34997
800-741-0629     772-219-4334
Fax  772-287-1341
www.radonserv.com           wlevy at radonserv.com
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