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Environmental radiation: common sources & ways to reduce exposure
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We are all exposed to natural radiation everyday. We evolved with radiation, and our bodies can repair damage from low levels of environmental radiation. However, cancer can result when we overwhelm those repair mechanisms.
Radon gas accounts for 37% of a typical person’s radiation exposure. This radioactive gas infiltrates into homes from the soil beneath the house. If a house is kept close much of the time, radon concentrates inside and can reach high levels. Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
It is easy to test a home for radon and to reduce radon concentration if needed. The California Department of Public Health provides $5 radon test kits to California residents. The test kits offered by the state take about two weeks to do the test and get results from the lab.
The easiest way to reduce radon in a home is to ventilate by opening windows regularly. The most effective way to reduce radon concentration in a problem home to install a radon mitigation system. Mitigation systems are effective in reducing radon in all types of homes, even when radon is extremely high.
CAT scans are the second leading source of radiation exposure at 24%. This number has increased seven-fold since 1980, according to a recent study by the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements. Patients should make prudent decisions, in consultation with their physicians, to limit their exposure to medical radiation.
Granite counters are an unexpected radiation source for a few homeowners. A client in the San Francisco Bay Area had Jupurana Bordeaux granite that emitted gamma radiation at 25 times background radiation. Lab tests showed that her granite contained as much uranium as uranium ore.
We have measured granite in showrooms that emitted gamma radiation at 50 times background. Colleagues have measured granite that emitted gamma radiation at 100 times background. Radioactive granites can also emit radon gas.
Fortunately, most granite is not particularly radioactive. The problem stones tend to be granites with a lot of “movement”, such as streaks and swirls. Dr. Daniel Steck, one of the country’s leading radon researchers, is conducting a study of radon gas in well-insulated homes with exotic granite. Homes participating in the study receive free testing and consultation.
Chart reprinted with permission of the National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, http://NCRPonline.org
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- Free Testing (Nationwide): Study by St. John's University
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- Granite & Radiation: Dr. William Llope
- Granite & Radiation: IHS
- Granite & Radon: Dr. Daniel Steck
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- Granite & Radon: IHS
