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Petermann E, Bossew P, Kemski J, Gruber V, Suhr N, Hoffmann B. Development of a High-Resolution Indoor Radon Map Using a New Machine Learning-Based Probabilistic Model and German Radon Survey Data. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:97009. [PMID: 39292674 PMCID: PMC11410151 DOI: 10.1289/ehp14171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radon is a carcinogenic, radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors and is undetected by human senses. Therefore, accurate knowledge of indoor radon concentration is crucial for assessing radon-related health effects or identifying radon-prone areas. OBJECTIVES Indoor radon concentration at the national scale is usually estimated on the basis of extensive measurement campaigns. However, characteristics of the sampled households often differ from the characteristics of the target population owing to the large number of relevant factors that control the indoor radon concentration, such as the availability of geogenic radon or floor level. Furthermore, the sample size usually does not allow estimation with high spatial resolution. We propose a model-based approach that allows a more realistic estimation of indoor radon distribution with a higher spatial resolution than a purely data-based approach. METHODS A multistage modeling approach was used by applying a quantile regression forest that uses environmental and building data as predictors to estimate the probability distribution function of indoor radon for each floor level of each residential building in Germany. Based on the estimated probability distribution function, a probabilistic Monte Carlo sampling technique was applied, enabling the combination and population weighting of floor-level predictions. In this way, the uncertainty of the individual predictions is effectively propagated into the estimate of variability at the aggregated level. RESULTS The results show an approximate lognormal distribution of indoor radon in dwellings in Germany with an arithmetic mean of 63 Bq / m 3 , a geometric mean of 41 Bq / m 3 , and a 95th percentile of 180 Bq / m 3 . The exceedance probabilities for 100 and 300 Bq / m 3 are 12.5% (10.5 million people affected) and 2.2% (1.9 million people affected), respectively. In large cities, individual indoor radon concentration is generally estimated to be lower than in rural areas, which is due to the different distribution of the population on floor levels. DISCUSSION The advantages of our approach are that is yields a) an accurate estimation of indoor radon concentration even if the survey is not fully representative with respect to floor level and radon concentration in soil, and b) an estimate of the indoor radon distribution with a much higher spatial resolution than basic descriptive statistics. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14171.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Petermann
- Section Radon and NORM, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Berlin, Germany
| | - Peter Bossew
- Section Radon and NORM, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Valeria Gruber
- Department for Radon and Radioecology, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Linz, Austria
| | - Nils Suhr
- Section Radon and NORM, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Berlin, Germany
| | - Bernd Hoffmann
- Section Radon and NORM, Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS), Berlin, Germany
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Giraldo-Osorio A, Ruano-Ravina A, Pérez-Ríos M, Varela-Lema L, Barros-Dios JM, Arias-Ortiz NE. Residential Radon in Manizales, Colombia: Results of a Pilot Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18031228. [PMID: 33573028 PMCID: PMC7908556 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18031228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless noble gas, causally related with the onset of lung cancer. We aimed to describe the distribution of radon exposure in the municipality of Manizales, Colombia, in order to estimate the population's exposure and establish the percentage of dwellings that surpass reference levels. A cross-sectional study representing all geographical areas was carried out by measuring indoor radon concentrations. Participants answered a short questionnaire. Alpha-track type radon detectors were installed in all residences for six months. The detectors were subsequently processed at the Galician Radon Laboratory, an accredited laboratory at the University of Santiago de Compostela. A total of 202 homes were measured. Seventy-seven percent of the sampled houses were three stories high, their median age was 30 years, and half were inhabited by three people or fewer. For most dwellings, the building materials of walls and flooring were brick and covered cement, respectively. Results showed a geometric mean of radon concentration of 8.5 Bq/m3 and a maximum value of 50 Bq/m3. No statistically significant differences were found either between the geometric mean of the dwelling's site, the height at which detectors were placed inside the home, or the wall and flooring materials, or between mean 222Rn concentrations in rural and urban areas. No dwelling surpassed the 222Rn reference level established by the WHO. This study shows that residential radon levels in Manizales, Colombia, seem to be low, though a more in-depth approach should be carried out. Despite these results, it is essential to create a national radon program and establish a radon concentration reference level for Colombia in line with international recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Giraldo-Osorio
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.G.-O.); (M.P.-R.); (L.V.-L.); (J.M.B.-D.)
- Grupo de Investigación Promoción de la Salud y Prevención de la Enfermedad (GIPSPE), Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales 170002, Colombia;
- Scholarship Holder of Fundación Carolina (C.2020), 28071 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Ruano-Ravina
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.G.-O.); (M.P.-R.); (L.V.-L.); (J.M.B.-D.)
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología and Salud Pública/CIBERESP), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela—IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Mónica Pérez-Ríos
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.G.-O.); (M.P.-R.); (L.V.-L.); (J.M.B.-D.)
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología and Salud Pública/CIBERESP), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela—IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Leonor Varela-Lema
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.G.-O.); (M.P.-R.); (L.V.-L.); (J.M.B.-D.)
| | - Juan Miguel Barros-Dios
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (A.G.-O.); (M.P.-R.); (L.V.-L.); (J.M.B.-D.)
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología and Salud Pública/CIBERESP), 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela—IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Nelson Enrique Arias-Ortiz
- Grupo de Investigación Promoción de la Salud y Prevención de la Enfermedad (GIPSPE), Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad de Caldas, Manizales 170002, Colombia;
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Hosoda M, Nugraha ED, Akata N, Yamada R, Tamakuma Y, Sasaki M, Kelleher K, Yoshinaga S, Suzuki T, Rattanapongs CP, Furukawa M, Yamaguchi M, Iwaoka K, Sanada T, Miura T, Iskandar D, Pudjadi E, Kashiwakura I, Tokonami S. A unique high natural background radiation area - Dose assessment and perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 750:142346. [PMID: 33182182 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The biological effects of low dose-rate radiation exposures on humans remains unknown. In fact, the Japanese nation still struggles with this issue after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Recently, we have found a unique area in Indonesia where naturally high radiation levels are present, resulting in chronic low dose-rate radiation exposures. We aimed to estimate the comprehensive dose due to internal and external exposures at the particularly high natural radiation area, and to discuss the enhancement mechanism of radon. A car-borne survey was conducted to estimate the external doses from terrestrial radiation. Indoor radon measurements were made in 47 dwellings over three to five months, covering the two typical seasons, to estimate the internal doses. Atmospheric radon gases were simultaneously collected at several heights to evaluate the vertical distribution. The absorbed dose rates in air in the study area vary widely between 50 nGy h-1 and 1109 nGy h-1. Indoor radon concentrations ranged from 124 Bq m-3 to 1015 Bq m-3. That is, the indoor radon concentrations measured exceed the reference levels of 100 Bq m-3 recommended by the World Health Organization. Furthermore, the outdoor radon concentrations measured were comparable to the high indoor radon concentrations. The annual effective dose due to external and internal exposures in the study area was estimated to be 27 mSv using the median values. It was found that many residents are receiving radiation exposure from natural radionuclides over the dose limit for occupational exposure to radiation workers. This enhanced outdoor radon concentration might be as a result of the stable atmospheric conditions generated at an exceptionally low altitude. Our findings suggest that this area provides a unique opportunity to conduct an epidemiological study related to health effects due to chronic low dose-rate radiation exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Hosoda
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Eka Djatnika Nugraha
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Naofumi Akata
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Ryohei Yamada
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, 4-33, Muramatsu, Tokai-mura, Naka-gun, Ibaraki 319-1194, Japan
| | - Yuki Tamakuma
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan; Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Michiya Sasaki
- Radiation Safety Research Center, Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry, 2-11-1 Iwado kita, Komae, Tokyo 201-8511, Japan
| | - Kevin Kelleher
- Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Protection Agency, Richview, Clonskeagh Road, Dublin 14, Ireland
| | - Shinji Yoshinaga
- Research Institute for Radiation Biology and Medicine, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan
| | - Takahito Suzuki
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Chanis Pornnumpa Rattanapongs
- Department of Applied Radiation and Isotopes, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, 50 Ngamwongwan, Lat Yao, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Masahide Furukawa
- Department of Physics and Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, 1 Senbaru, Nishihara-cho, Okinawa 903-0213, Japan
| | - Masaru Yamaguchi
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Kazuki Iwaoka
- Center for Radiation Protection Knowledge, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 4-9-1, Anagawa, Inage, Chiba 263-8555, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Sanada
- Department of Radiological Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University of Science, 7-Jo 15-4-1 Maeda, Teine, Sapporo, Hokkaido 006-8585, Japan
| | - Tomisato Miura
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Dadong Iskandar
- Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Eko Pudjadi
- Center for Technology of Radiation Safety and Metrology, National Nuclear Energy Agency, JI. Lebak Bulus Raya No. 49, Jakarta 12440, Indonesia
| | - Ikuo Kashiwakura
- Depertment of Radiation Science, Hirosaki University Graduate School of Health Sciences, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan
| | - Shinji Tokonami
- Institute of Radiation Emergency Medicine, Hirosaki University, 66-1 Hon-cho, Hirosaki, Aomori 036-8564, Japan.
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Omori Y, Hosoda M, Takahashi F, Sanada T, Hirao S, Ono K, Furukawa M. Japanese population dose from natural radiation. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2020; 40:R99-R140. [PMID: 32031989 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/ab73b1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The radiation doses from natural radiation sources in Japan are reviewed using the latest knowledge. The United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) and the Nuclear Safety Research Association report the annual effective doses from cosmic rays, terrestrial radiation, inhalation, and ingestion as natural sources. In this paper, the total annual effective dose from cosmic-ray exposure is evaluated as 0.29 mSv. The arithmetic mean of the annual effective dose from external exposure to terrestrial radiation is 0.33 mSv for the Japanese population using the data of nationwide surveys by the National Institute of Radiological Sciences. Previously in Japan, although three different groups have conducted nationwide indoor radon surveys using passive-type radon monitors, to date only the Japan Chemical Analysis Center (JCAC) has performed a nationwide radon survey using a unified method for radon measurements conducted indoor, outdoor, and in the workplace. Consequently, the JCAC results are used for the annual effective dose from radon and that for radon inhalation is estimated as 0.50 mSv using a current dose conversion factor. In this paper, UNSCEAR values are used for the mean indoor and outdoor thoron-progeny concentrations, and the annual effective dose from thoron is reported as 0.09 mSv. Thus, the annual effective dose from radon and thoron inhalation is 0.59 mSv. From a JCAC large-scale survey of foodstuffs, the committed effective dose from the main radionuclides in dietary intake is 0.99 mSv. Finally, the Japanese population dose from natural radiation is given as 2.2 mSv, which is similar to the reported global average of 2.4 mSv.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasutaka Omori
- Ad hoc Committee of Japanese Population Dose Estimation of Japan Health Physics Society, Yoshimatsu Buid. 3F, 3-7-2 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0004, Japan. Department of Radiation Physics and Chemistry, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University, 1 Hikarigaoka, Fukushima 960-1295, Japan
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Smetsers RCGM, Blaauboer RO, Dekkers F, Slaper H. RADON AND THORON PROGENY IN DUTCH DWELLINGS. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2018; 181:11-14. [PMID: 29931357 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncy093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Radon and thoron progenies in Dutch dwellings cause ~400 cases of lung cancer per year. Some 30% of the risk is due to thoron progeny, which demonstrates that the influence of thoron progeny is much larger than previously anticipated. This was concluded from a national survey in 2500 Dutch dwellings, built since 1930. Radon concentrations (15.6 ± 0.3 Bq m-3 on average) are correlated to type of dwelling, year of construction, ventilation system, location (soil type) and smoking behaviour of inhabitants. The survey data support the establishment of a comparatively low national reference level for radon in dwellings in the Netherlands of 100 Bq m-3, in line with recommendations by WHO and ICRP. Some 24 thousand of the 6.2 million dwellings in the Netherlands (built since 1930) are expected to exceed this level. Around 80% of these are located in the relatively small group of naturally ventilated single-family houses in two designated geographical areas. Radon concentrations above 200 Bq m-3 are rare in the Netherlands and simple and inexpensive measures will be sufficient to reduce enhanced radon concentrations to values below the national reference level. Thoron progeny concentrations (0.64 Bq m-3, on average) show correlations with year of construction and smoking behaviour. In 75 additional dwellings, a pilot study was conducted to determine the relationship between the exhalation of thoron from walls and the concentration of thoron progeny in the room. Thoron exhalation values exceeding the median value of 2.2 × 10-2 Bq m-2 s-1 by a factor 10 or more were found frequently, but enhanced concentrations of thoron progeny were measured only occasionally. Under very unfavourable conditions, however, for instance if phosphogypsum is applied as finishing material on all walls and ceilings in the house, strongly elevated thoron progeny concentrations may occur. This survey yielded a maximum recording of 13.3 Bq m-3. There is no reason to expect that such levels are specific to the Netherlands, indicating that in other regions with low radon levels, thoron may be a more important contributor to the population dose as well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R O Blaauboer
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
| | - F Dekkers
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
| | - H Slaper
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM)
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Bochicchio F, Antignani S, Carpentieri C, Ampollini M, Caccia B, Pozzi S, Venoso G. THE NATIONAL RADON ARCHIVE AS A USEFUL TOOL FOR DEVELOPING AND UPDATING THE NATIONAL RADON ACTION PLAN. RADIATION PROTECTION DOSIMETRY 2017; 177:99-103. [PMID: 29036511 DOI: 10.1093/rpd/ncx129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
International recommendations and regulations require developing of National Radon Action Plans (NRAPs) to effectively manage the protection of workers and population from radon exposure. In Italy, a NRAP was published in 2002 and several activities have been carried out in this framework. Information and data regarding these and previous activities have been collected in a National Radon Archive (NRA). Activities carried out by institutionally involved institutes and agencies include several national and regional surveys, involving more than 50 000 indoor environments (dwellings, schools and workplaces), and remedial actions performed in ~350 buildings, largely in schools. Data collected in the NRA allowed also to estimate that lung cancer deaths attributable to radon exposure in Italy are ~3400 per year. On-going developments of the Italian NRA finalized to effectively use it as tool for developing, monitoring and updating the NRAP are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bochicchio
- National Center on Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - S Antignani
- National Center on Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - C Carpentieri
- National Center on Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - M Ampollini
- National Center on Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - B Caccia
- National Center on Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - S Pozzi
- National Center on Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
| | - G Venoso
- National Center on Radiation Protection and Computational Physics, Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), Viale Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Roma, Italy
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Lorenzo-González M, Ruano-Ravina A, Peón J, Piñeiro M, Barros-Dios JM. Residential radon in Galicia: a cross-sectional study in a radon-prone area. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2017; 37:728-741. [PMID: 28608782 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6498/aa7922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Residential radon exposure is a major public health problem. It is the second greatest cause of lung cancer, after smoking, and the greatest in never-smokers. This study shows the indoor radon exposure distribution in Galicia and estimates the percentage of dwellings exceeding reference levels. It is based on 3245 residential radon measurements obtained from the Galician Radon Map project and from controls of two previous case-control studies on residential radon and lung cancer. Results show a high median residential radon concentration in Galicia (99 Bq m-3), with 49.3% of dwellings having a radon concentration above 100 Bq m-3 and 11.1% having a concentration above 300 Bq m-3. Ourense and Pontevedra, located in South Galicia, are the provinces with the highest median indoor radon concentrations (137 Bq m-3 and 123.5 Bq m-3, respectively). Results also show lower radon levels in progressively higher building storeys. These high residential radon concentrations confirm Galicia as a radon-prone area. A policy on radon should be developed and implemented in Galicia to minimize the residential radon exposure of the population.
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