Health effects and risks from 222Rn in drinking water.
This paper presents an evaluation of the inhalation and ingestion doses from exposure to Rn and Rn progeny; an overview of the human and animal health-effects data; estimations of the cancer risks from Rn and Rn-progeny exposures; and suggested limits for Rn concentrations in drinking water and indoor air. We suggest that a rounded Rn-in-water concentration limit of 10,000 pCi/l can be supported by health-effects considerations alone, based on the conservative "tolerance dose" concept and other conservative assumptions regarding lung dose. A practical concentration limit (or action level) of 20,000 pCi/l has been derived by estimations of exposure distributions in the United States and in relation to current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for U-tailings-contaminated buildings. Research needed for resolution of the uncertainties in these estimates is suggested. We conclude that before a maximum contaminant level (MCL) for Rn in water can be firmly established, the broader issue of setting the MCL for Rn in indoor air must be addressed.
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D008433:Mathematics; D008452:Maximum Allowable Concentration; D008906:Mining; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012306:Risk; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards
D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D014873:Water Pollutants; D014875:Water Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon