Re: EPA Action Level for Radon

[Bernard L Cohen <blc+@pitt.edu>]

	The EPA action level of 4 pCi/L was decided on by EPA itself. It
was chosen as a practical level for implementation. It is not risk-based.
According to Linear-no threshold theory, it corresponds to about a 1%
lifetime risk, which is 1000 times higher than what would be used for a
risk-based limit, so their risk based limit would be 0.004 pCi/L. That
would be completely unachievable, so they chose something that they
considered would be achievable, at least as a goal.
	Of course, if Linear-no threshold theory is abandoned, all of this
is meaningless.

Bernard L. Cohen
Physics Dept.
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Tel: (412)624-9245
Fax: (412)624-9163
e-mail: blc+@pitt.edu


On Mon, 28 Aug 2000, Tom Mohaupt wrote:

> Hello Radsafers,
> 
> Does anyone know where the EPA got the 4 pCi/L (148 Bq/m^3)action level for
> radon? The NCRP recommended 400 Bq/m^3 (actually 2 WLM/year) at a level
> above which mitigation should occur. Did the EPA come up with this value
> themselves or was is a recommendation from the National Academy of
> Sciences?
> Thank-you,
> 
> Tom
> -- 
> Thomas Mohaupt, M.S., CHP
> University Radiation Safety Officer
> 
> 104 Health Sciences Bldg
> Wright State University
> Dayton, Ohio 45435
> tom.mohaupt@wright.edu
> (937) 775-2169
> (937) 775-3761 (fax)
> 
> "An investment in knowledge gains the best interest." Ben Franklin
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