Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and Engineering, Volume I and II

RADON 1057

problem prone areas, and the values somewhat overestimate

the true population based averages.

A total of 35.0% of the homes in the study were found

to have radon levels at or above the EPA’s 4pCi/1 guidance

level. This is in very good agreement with the 32.5% of the

homes tested by commercial firms participating in the volun-

tary certification program. This data, which is approximately

log-normally distributed, is shown in Figure 2. Data obtained

by commercial firms using primarily charcoal canisters in

ground levels of homes are shown in Figure 3. Approximately

11.7% of these results are equal to or exceed 4 pCi/1.

Data collected as part of the confirmatory monitoring

program are shown in Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows that,

in 86.4% of the homes tested, the DEP measurements cor-

roborated the commercial testing result to the extent that

both indicated a radon concentration at 4 pCi/1 or greater.

In the 13.6% of the homes where this corroboration did not

occur, the difference between the two results is believed

to be attributable to natural variations in the radon level,

variation in the testing method, and the fact that many resi-

dents take action to reduce radon levels immediately upon

receiving the initial result.

Residents participating in the confirmatory monitoring

program who obtain their water from private wells also have

their well water tested for them as part of the program. This

data is shown in Figure 5.

The EPA has estimated that a radon in water concentra-

tion of 10,000 pCi/1 produces an increase in the radon con-

centration in the ambient air of approximately 1 pCi/1 in the

home where that water is used. Approximately 100 to 1,800

of the 5,000 to 20,000 lung cancer deaths attributed by EPA

to radon annually in the United States are believed to arise

from exposure to radon entering the home via the domestic

ground water supply. Inhalation is the only source of risk as

drinking water containing radon is not considered a health

threat.^19

Through the Radon Cluster Identification Program, a num-

ber of high level radon homes have been identified. The data

derived from the program is presented in Table 4. As indicated,

approximately 85% of the homes tested as part of this program

have radon levels at or above 4 pCi/1 Approximately 15% of

the homes tested had a radon concentration of 200 pCi/1 or

greater. Thus, identification of a high level home and subse-

quent sampling of surrounding homes is a means of identifying

radon problem prone areas.

Based on the available data, the DEP made recommen-

dations to residents regarding radon testing in September of

1987. These recommendations are summarized in Figure 6.
      The three tiers given in the figure reflect the probability for
      finding an indoor radon problem in a given area of the state
      based on available testing and geologic evidence.

CONCLUSIONS

Data obtained from the statewide study of radon, through

the voluntary certification program for radon testing firms,

and from the radon cluster identification program clearly

demonstrate that New Jersey has a significant radon prob-

lem. Residents do, however, have ready access to testing and

remediation services from State certified vendors in the pri-

vate sector. Further, State programs exist to provide informa-

tion, confirm test results, identify problem prone areas and

support research specific to New Jersey needs.

REFERENCES

1. Adapted from National Council on Radiation Protection and Measure-
   ments, Exposures from the Uranium Series with Emphasis on Radon
   and Its Daughters, NCRP Report No. 77, Bethesda, MD 1984, pp. 2
   and 9–11.


2. Ibid. p. 25.


3. Nero A.V., M.B. Schwekr, W.W. Nazaroff and K.L Revzan, “Distribu-
   tion of Airborne Rn-222 Concentrations in U.A. Homes” Science Vol.
   234, November 1986, pp. 992–996.


4. Margaret Reilley, untitled feature article, Newsletter, Conference of
   Radiation Control Program Directors, vol. 19, no. 2, July 1985.


5. Ioc. cit.


6. Phillip Shabecoff, “Radiation Gas in Soil Raises Concern in Three
   State Areas”, New York Times, 19 May 1986, p. 1.


7. Thomas D.C., K.G. McNeill and C. Dougherty “Estimates of Lifetime
   Lung Cancer Risks Resulting from Rn Progeny Exposure” Health
   Physics vol. 45 no. 5, November 1985, pp. 825–846.


8. Judith Klotz “Estimating Lung Cancer Risks of Indoor Radon:
   Applications for Prevention” Indoor Radon Proceedings of an APCA
   International Specialty Conference, Air Pollution Control Associ-
   ates, February 1986, pp. 37–38.


9. United States Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen ’ s Guide to
   Radon, EPA document OPA-86–004, August 1984, p. 1.


10. Ibid. , p. 9.


11. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, Evalua-
    tion of Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Radon and Radon
    Daughters in the United States, NCRP Report No. 78, Bethesda, MD,
    1984, p. 19.


12. Ibid, pp. 42–56.


13. Popper G.H.P. and T.S. Martin, “National Uranium Resource Evalu-
    ation, Newark Quadrangle, Pennsylvania and New Jersey”, Berrdix
    Field Engineering Corporation Report PGTIF-1243 (83) for the U.S.
    Department of Energy (1983).


14. Christy Bell, Radioactive Mineral Occurrences in New Jersey, New
    Jersey Geological Survey Open File Report No. 83–5, Trenton, NJ,
    1985.


15. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Implementation Strat-
    egy for the Radon/Radon Progeny Measurement Proficiency Evaluation
    and Quality Assurance Program, EPA document EPA 520/1–86–03,
    February 1986.


16. United States Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen ’ s Guide to
    Radon, EPA document OPA-86–004, August 1984, p. 11.


17. Andreas C. George, “Passive, Integrated Measurement of Indoor Radon
    Using Activated Carbon”, Health Physics vol. 46 no. 4, pp. 867–872,
    1984.


18. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Interim Indoor Radon
    and Radon Decay Protocols, EPA document EPA 520/1–86–04, April
    1986.


19. United States Environmental Protection Agency, Removal of Radon
    From Household Water, EPA document EPA-87–011, September 1987,
    pp. 1–2.

RICHARD T. DEWLING

Dewling Associates

DONALD A. DEIESO

Research Cottrell Co.

GERALD P. NICHOLLS

New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

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