what will enter the lungs as we breathe . A large portion of the radon decay products
( 50 to 60 %) will attach to physical objects within a room and no longer be breathable . This is reduced further with the use of particulate air filters and air circulation as occurs in schools and large buildings . What remains after these reductions is the actual dose that can be imparted to the lungs . So why do we routinely measure radon rather than radon decay products ? Actually, many of the miner studies linking radon induced lung cancer are based upon direct radon decay product measurements . Even more recent epidemiological studies of lung cancer incidence in residential settings show a much better correlation to radon decay product measurementss than radon alone . That is because they are a better measuree of dose received rather than an inferred dose from exposure .
Radon measurements are indeed easier to make . They are simple and affordable . But realize a radon measurement is a surrogate or substitute measurement for estimating health risks of the radon decay products . In many situations , quantifying the radon potential is adequate and reducing radon entry via active soil depressurization reduces radon and , in-turn , reduces the attendant radon decay products proportionately .
However , there are cases where an additional quantification of radon decay products is prudent . This certainly would be the case in larger buildings where efforts by EPA to reduce indoor particulates via better HVAC systemss and filters can have a significant impact on reducing the dose from radon . Examples of this are focused reduction in asthma triggers and most recently Covid-19 virusess . How one would apply these measurements is described within Section 9 of the
ANSI / AARST MAH
2019 , Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Homes . In essence , the protocol requires :
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Concurrent radon and radon decay products measurements to allow one to determine the actual percentage of radon decay products rather than to assume a 50 % relationship . Identify aspects of the building that may be reducing radon decay products or increasing radon decay product doses due to higher particulate air counts .
Determine if those aspects of the building that reduce radon decay products are likely to be maintained , such as operation of an HVAC system during occupied hours , etc
. So why get upset about inaccurate statements ? Inaccurate statements inhibit innovative approaches
. Many of us are members of a trade association called the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists . Note the emphasis on the word Scientists . One would assume that , as