Mapping Surficial Radium Content as a Partial Indicator of Radon Concentrations in US Houses

摘要

In connection with the problem of indoor radon, we discuss the use of a database developed from the National Aerial Radiometric Reconnaissance in the development of a map of radium in soil for the contiguous 48 states. We examine the relationship between the results of measurements of radon in houses and the indications of the US map, noting that some, but by no means all, of the areas known to have elevated radon concentrations appear as areas of higher radium concentration than their surroundings and that there are other areas, in which measurements of high radon levels have not been made, which are suggested as deserving of interest. We discuss mapping techniques for smaller areas and possible methods of dealing with apparent discrepancies between adjacent areas. We show that, on a national basis, as much as half the variation in radon from region to region may be accounted for by the level of radium in the soil, but that there are regions for which the radium concentration does not account for the relatively high observed radon. 3 refs., 3 figs. (ERA citation 13:025061)