RE: Radon Information

["Weiner, Ruth" <rfweine@sandia.gov>]

I understand you problem because I have taught similar courses for many
years.  There is a good discussion of radon from this perspective on NEWNET:
http://newnet.jdola.lanl/gov.  This site also has a graph showing the
fraction of background due to radon, which makes the point nicely that it is
part of background.  To my knowledge, there is no clear epidemiology showing
positive correlation between home radon exposure and anything, although the
various studies of miners show correlations between radon exposure and
chromosome breaks, where the radon exposure is pretty high.  I would get a
copy of BEIR IV and look at it.  

Re food irradiation: I used to stress two things to the students: 1.  the
food does not become radioactive, and 2.  the chemical changes are generally
considerably less than the chemical changes wrought when the food is cooked
-- in fact they are not noticeable.  

I also used to use x-rays as an example of a very common use of ionizing
radiation.

Also, this is a good opportunity to bring up the LNT theory and the
questions about it, if you are comfortable doing that.

A general caution: if you are not comfortable discussing something, don't be
afraid to tell students that you don't feel you can answer their questions
off the top and would have to research the answers.  Low-level classes like
the one you are talking about generally take a lot more preparation and
knowledge than higher level classes.  Although this is contrary to common
wisdom, this has been my experience.

And to all your RADSAFERs who chided me for telling students to use a
library, this question is appropriate and NOT a "do my homework" question.


Clearly only my own opinion.

Ruth F. Weiner
Sandia National Laboratories 
MS 0718, POB 5800
Albuquerque, NM 87185-0718
505-844-4791; fax 505-844-0244
rfweine@sandia.gov
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Provost [mailto:provost@mhd1.moorhead.msus.edu]
Sent: Friday, January 22, 1999 7:04 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: Radon Information


In light of the current thread of how to find information, I ask this
question with some trepidation.

I am teaching a chemistry for non-majors course, and while I am the RSO at
my University (15 official days a year) I am not a HP. I have a simple
questions for you.  What are the current thoughts on actual dangers of
radon in the home?

 I understand there is a plenitude of sources but when you teach 5 classes,
conduct research and try to do the additional duties time is limited.  Help
in this area would be greatly appreciated.  Most text books discuss the
chemistry of radon and not the true potential danger to the gas and it's
daughters.  Much of this class has a fear of radiation and radon and
irradiation of food are very negative high risk subjects for them.

Joe Provost
Dept of Chemistry
Moorhead State University
Moorhead MN 56563
218-287-5085


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