Factors contributing to elevated indoor radon in the Paso Del Norte region of the Texas-Mexico border: information for physicians.
BACKGROUND
We collected sample data on radon concentrations concurrently in the air, water, and soil in the northern part of the Texas-Mexico border (both sides) popularly known as Paso Del Norte.


METHODS
These field data were used to statistically correlate relative contributions of yard soil, tap water, location, and house features to concentrations of radon indoors.


RESULTS
Indoor air radon concentrations in some homes were up to nine-fold the limit recommended by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Concentrations of radon in tap water were up to nearly three-fold the recommended limit. Apartments and manufactured homes had generally greater concentrations of indoor radon. Statistically significant associations were indicated between indoor radon air levels and radon in the soil (P < 0.001); radon in the water and radium in water (P = 0.016); radon air levels and apartment living (P = 0.010); and mobile homes vs. wood, brick, and stucco construction (P = 0.016).


CONCLUSIONS
Radon soil gas, apartment living, and the aluminum plank wall environment of mobile homes were associated with elevated indoor radon in the homes studied. Physician's attention is invited to the potential nontrivial risk from radon, as it becomes trapped inside enclosed structures. This article is intended to serve as a resource for primary care physicians who want to better understand the distribution and contributing factors for indoor radon. The Surgeon General recommends every US home be tested for radon as of January 13, 2005.
Cech
Irina
I
Division of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences and Division of Epidemiology, the University of Texas School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA. irina.cech@uth.tmc.edu
Burau
Keith D
KD
Al-Hashimi
Radhiya
R
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008800:Mexico; D011834:Radiation Monitoring; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis; D013781:Texas; D014878:Water Pollution, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D012990:Soil Pollutants, Radioactive