Abstract
Abstract
Repetitive , long‐term inhalation of radioactive radon gas is one of the leading causes of lung cancer , with exposure differences being a function of geographic location , built environment , personal demographics , activity patterns , and decision‐making . Here , we examine radon exposuree disparities across the urban‐to‐rural landscape
, based on 42,051 Canadian residential properties in 2034 distinct communities . People living in rural , lower population density communities experience as much as 31.2 % greater average residential radon levels relativee to urban equivalents , equating to an additional 26.7 Bq / m 3 excess in geometric mean indoor air radon , and an additional 1 mSv / year in excess alpha radiation exposure dose rate to the lungs for occupants . Pairwise and multivariate analyses indicate that community‐based radon exposuree disparities are , in part , explained by increased prevalence of larger floorplan bungalows in rural areas , but that a majority of the effect is attributed to proximity to , but not water use from , drilled groundwater wells . We propose that unintended radon gas migration in the annulus of drilledd groundwater wells provides radon migration pathways from the deeper subsurface into near‐surface materials . Our findings highlight a previously under‐appreciated determinant of radon‐induced lung cancer risk , and support a need for targeted radon testing and reduction in rural communities . Similar content being viewed by others
Younger North Americans are exposed to more radon gas due to occupancy biases within the residential built environment
Article Open access24 March 2021