Radon Elevated radon levels are a concern in Madison County and have been identified in recently built homes and older homes that have undergone energy conservation improvements. Elevated levels are a result of the emission of radon gas linked to shallow depths of shale layers below the building foundations. Major radon entry routes include: cracks in concrete floors, older stone foundations, pores and cracks in concrete blocks and slab-footing joints, exposed soil, sump pump wells, loose fitting pipes; and water wells. Higher than average levels of radon may be linked to the higher rates of lung cancer experienced in the County. Prolonged exposure to radon poses serious health implications and is cited as the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. The risk of lung cancer increases proportionally with rising radon exposure. The percentage of lung cancers attributable to radon is estimated to range from 3 to 14%, and is more likely to contribute to higher rates of lung cancer in people who smoke. Radon-induced lung cancers are mainly caused by low and moderate exposure. The concentration of radon in a home depends on: the amount of uranium in the underlying rocks and soils, the routes available for the passage of radon into the home, the rate of exchange between indoor and outdoor air, ventilation habits, and the sealing of windows.10 TABLE 16 Radon Level If 1,000 people who smoked were exposed If 1,000 people who never smoked were exposed (picocuries per litre) to this level over a lifetime… to this level over a lifetime… 20 pCi/L
About 260 people could get lung cancer
About 36 people could get lung cancer
4 pCi/L
About 62 people could get lung cancer
About 7 people could get lung cancer
0.4 pCi/L
About 3 people could get lung cancer
Less than 1 person could get lung cancer
Source: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/radiological/radon/radonrx.htm Accessed 8/20/2013.
Measured Basement Screening Radon Levels by Town - October 2012 TABLE 17 Average Town/Village/City BROOKFIELD CAZENOVIA DERUYTER EATON FENNER GEORGETOWN HAMILTON LEBANON LENOX LINCOLN MADISON NELSON ONEIDA SMITHFIELD STOCKBRIDGE SULLIVAN
Homes Screened 35 219 23 59 11 16 166 12 166 7 24 21 168 7 14 168
Radon Level 8.03 4.99 5.48 8.71 3.8 6.33 8.37 3.52 4.26 5.27 3.34 5.64 6.2 5.76 4.44 7.12
<4 42.9% 60.7% 60.9% 47.5% 63.6% 37.5% 37.3% 58.3% 68.7% 42.9% 70.8% 57.1% 72.6% 57.1% 57.1% 59.5%
≥4 & <20 pCi/L 54.3% 37.4% 34.8% 42.4% 36.4% 62.5% 52.4% 41.7% 27.7% 57.1% 29.2% 38.1% 23.8% 42.9% 42.9% 31.0%
>20 pCi/L 2.9% 1.8% 4.3% 10.2% 0.0% 0.0% 10.2% 0.0% 3.6% 0.0% 0.0% 4.8% 3.6% 0.0% 0.0% 9.5%
Source: http://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/radiological/radon/towns.htm. Accessed 8/20/2013.
Radon levels have increased or remained stable in most towns, villages and cities in Madison County from 2008 to 2010.11
CHA Environmental Health |
16