World Health Organization Lowers Radon Action Level
Published September 23rd, 2009
Radon gas has been identified as the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers according to recent studies conducted throughout the world. The World Health Organization states that as many as 14% of the lung cancer cases in many countries (including the United States) are caused by exposure to radon gas.
The World Health Organization has released their Handbook on Indoor Radon which strongly validates the worldwide threat of exposure to radon gas. According to handbook, WHO has been studying the effects of radon exposure since 1979. Although radon was classified as a human carcinogen in 1988, it took over 20-years of sound research and real-life studies from all over the world to confirm the true magnitude of the risk radon poses. Based on the results of these studies, WHO now suggests that homeowners take action when radon levels exceed 2.7 pCi/l. This is a much more conservative figure than the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA’s) action level of 4.0 pCi/l, which has been the U.S. standard for over 20-years.
More than 100 scientists from 30 countries have participated in the World Health Organization International Radon Project since 2005 which has lead to the publishing of the WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon this year. The book is a useful resource for concerned homeowners or anyone who wants to learn more about the toxic carcinogen known as radon. It outlines the years of research and the very conclusive findings that have triggered a push for stricter legislation and construction practices that will reduce the risk of indoor radon exposure to the general population. You can download a copy of the WHO Radon Handbook here: http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2009/9789241547673_eng.pdf
The United Nations also broke new ground in the international fight on radon-induced lung cancer when they released their acknowledgement of the radon problems throughout the world. This is documented in their Assessment for Radon in Homes and Workplaces: http://www.unscear.org/docs/reports/2006/09-81160_Report_Annex_E_2006_Web.pdf
