Re: Radon dose and risk estimates

["Leo M. Lowe" <llowe@senes.on.ca>]

The ICRP in Publication 65 uses 4 mSv (400 mrem) per WLM (working level 
month) for members of the public and  5 mSv (500 mrem) per WLM for 
workers.  As you  may know, these values are based on epidemiological 
considerations.

The RESRAD code (as of version 5) uses 760 mem/WLM for indoor exposure and 
570 mrem/WLM for outdoor exposure (different particle size, attachment 
fraction, breathing rate, etc).  This however is based on  the older ICRP 
Publication 32 and NRC's  1991 study on extrapolating dose for mines to 
homes.  (However, I believe that the NRC does not include radon dose in its 
25 mrem/y decommissioning limit.)

The EPA uses slope factors that convert the inhalation intake of radon to 
risk and therefore do not directly give a dose per WLM.   I believe that 
are presently updating  their conversion factors for radon to accommodate 
BEIR VI.

I stand to be corrected by more recent information.

Leo M. Lowe, Ph.D.
Senior Health and
Environmental Physicist



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