Cancer fatalities from waterborne radon (Rn-222).
A model of the biokinetics of radon in the human body following ingestion is developed from existing data. Calculations of the probability of cancer fatality from use of radon-laden water in the home then are presented. The pathways of emanation and ingestion are examined and shown to lead to roughly equal risks. The probability of fatal cancer resulting from lifetime use of water at a radon concentration of 1 pCi/L is shown to be 1 X 10(-6), with a reasonable range between 2 X 10(-7) and 5 X 10(-6). The allowed concentration consistent with an excess risk of 10(-4) then is approximately 100 pCi/L, which is exceeded in a significant fraction of U.S. water supplies. The lifetime number of premature deaths due to waterborne radon in the U.S. is estimated to lie between 5000 and 125,000, with a best estimate of 25,000.
Crawford-Brown
D J
DJ
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599-7400.
D004307:Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality*; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D012306:Risk; D012307:Risk Factors; D015996:Survival Rate; D014481:United States; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D014881:Water Supply
D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon