Re: Ron Kathrens comment on indoor radon concentrations

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

	My reply to this point was that we find the same results if we
consider only the coldest area or if we consider only the warmest (no
snow) areas of US, or if we consider only the wettest or if we consider
only the dryest, or if we consider only the highest altitude or if we
consider only the lowest altitude, etc.

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, 27 Jan 1997, Schoenhofer wrote:

> At 15:29 27.01.1997 -0600, you wrote:
> >........................................................
> 
> "How do indoor radon measurements/correlations get affected by snow cover/soil
> >moisture? :-)   This kind of unscientific rationalization pervades the
> >questions and questioners of Bernie's (and others') rigorously,
> >scientifically-developed, results. Others pick up such pejorative "questions"
> >and treat them as serious scientific questions and even uncertainties,
> >supporting the linear model campaign to raid the public purse."
> >
> >It is well known that snow cover and soil moisture affect outdoor airborne
> >radon concentrations; I daresay the effect on indoor levels has not been
> >well studied.  The question is legitimate; it is unquestionably not
> >"unscientific rationalization".  
> ............................................................
> 
> I do not want to comment on the very topic, but only on your comment
> repeated above. 
> 
> The effect of snow cover, soil moisture, frozen soil, wind speed, wind
> direction, air temperature etc. (environmental factors) on the indoor radon
> levels exists. Studies are going on in Europe. It has probably not yet been
> studied extensively, but the influence of these environmental factors may
> change the indoor radon concentration by orders of magnitude. Depending on
> the circumstances there are houses, which show higher radon concentrations
> in summer than in winter. 
> 
> These effects cannot be neglected. Nature is extremely complex and
> complicated and one has to consider all possible effects - this is
> legitimate and cannot be denied beforehand.
> 
> Franz
> Schoenhofer
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>