Re: radon risk

[AndrewsJP@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 6/18/2001 3:15:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time, 

nelsonjima@HOTMAIL.COM writes:



> 

>  John,

>  

>  Where are the regs that regulate outdoor radon concentrations?  Jim Nelson

>  



I have to eat my words.  EPA does not regulate outdoor radon, only indoors.  

There are extensive web pages for this voluntary indoor radon regulation.  

The basis for the EPA rules are found in the Indoor Radon Abatement Act of 

1988, 15 U.S.C. 2661, Section 306; Toxic Substances Control Act, Title I, 

Section 10 (a) governs radon management.  The radon  programs are located in 

the Office of Air and Radiation, Indoor Environments Division, Environmental 

Program Agency (EPA). 



Sorry for the confusion.  Not sorry for the EPA which set the acceptable 

levels of radon inside your house at levels very near the normally occurring 

levels found in outdoor air.  Outdoor air radon concentrations are not 

constant either.  Another commentor notes that plowing fields and melting 

snow are significant sources of enhanced radon exposure.  Weather patterns of 

high and low pressure can greatly increase the radon concentrations both 

inside and outside buildings.  I also noted that the EPA web listings do not 

discuss dose due to the radon, only the fact that radon can be harmful.  

There is no discussion of the relationship between the harmful levels of 

exposure of miners and the limiting value of 4 pCi/L given in the standard.



My thoughts.



John Andrews

Knoxville, Tennessee

************************************************************************

You are currently subscribed to the Radsafe mailing list. To unsubscribe,

send an e-mail to Majordomo@list.vanderbilt.edu  Put the text "unsubscribe

radsafe" (no quote marks) in the body of the e-mail, with no subject line.