Re: Radon in low quality housing -Reply

[John Goldsmith <gjohn@bgumail.bgu.ac.il>]

On radon risks in "low quality" housing, Paul Frame resourcefully
notes the distinction between the question of radon in such housing and of 
risks of lung cancer in "low quality" housing.  On the second point I can
add some insight, based on a paper on 119 communities in the Los
Angeles Metropolitan area in 1970 (Public Health Reviews vol 19, 1991/2, 
pp. 147-161.  The air pollution variable contributed nothing in a 
path analysis and regrssion analysis, but population density (persons
per acre) made a strong contribution no matter what other variables
were considered; housing density (persons per room) was negatively 
asociated by both regression and path analysis.  Per capita income
also was negatively associated with lung cancer. (the less income 
the more lung cancer) "Low quality" housing needs to be better defined
as some of Paul's comments emphasize. If you want a reprint, send mailing
address to me.  John Goldsmith (gjohn@bgumail.bgu.ac.il) Ben Gurion
University, Faculty of Health Sciences. POB 653, Beer Sheva 84 120
Israel

On Fri, 4 Aug 1995 FRAMEP@ORAU.GOV wrote:

> >I am researching wether there is an increased risk of exposure to
> >Radon in low quality housing.....
> > Any thoughts?
> 
> It might be that there are at least two intertwined yet distinct
> issues here: the levels of radon in low quality housing and
> the risk of lung cancer to occupants of low quality housing.
> 
> Not knowing the answer, I would guess that radon levels are lower in
> low quality housing for several reasons. Needless to say, such a
> guess might be completely wrong.
> 
> 1.Low quality houses might be less likely to have basements and more
> likely to have a crawl spaces.
> 
> 2.Low quality housing is less likely to have air conditioning and
> more likely to have open windows.
> 
> 3.Low quality housing is more likely to be an apartment/tenement 
> and less likely to be a detached house.
> 
> 4.Low quality housing is more likely to be found in urban areas,
> where wind speeds are substantially less than in suburban areas. The
> higher the wind speed, the lower the pressure in the building and the
> higher the radon influx.
> 
> Why might occupants of lower quality housing be more likely to
> develop lung cancer?
> 
> 1. They might include a larger percentage of smokers.
> 
> 2. The urban areas they dwell in have higher levels of air
> pollutants.
> 
> 3. Their occupations might expose them to higher levels airborne
> dust/fumes/fibers etc.
> 
> 
> For what its worth, today is the Department of Energy's 18th
> birthday. That's the legal drinking age in some places. Happy
> Birthday! 
> 
> Paul Frame
> Professional Training Programs
> Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
> framep@orau.gov
>