PSU Magazine Fall 1994

Homes on the ridge and in the Parkrose area of Portland, although containing nowhere near the radon levels experienced by the Watras family in Pennsylvania, had readings averaging 5.2 to 6.6 picocuries per liter, and some as high as 33.9. EPA guide– lines state that airborne radiation of more than 4 picocuries per liter can be hazardous to health. But in general, Oregonians have only a 1 in 25 chance that their homes will be affected, says Bums. Compare that with the 7 in 10 incidence in Iowa, which has glacially-deposited granite and permeable soils, parts of Appalachia and the granite-rich areas of New England Fortunately for home owners, indoor radon is a problem that can be solved, sometimes easily. Although the Watras family was advised to move, even leaving behind Christmas presents because of the contamination, most homes can be cleared of radon simply by ventilating the basement. Since it performed its random sampling, the Oregon Health Division has been acting as a clearinghouse for information on where to obtain test kits and on methods for correcting radon problems. COURTESY OFTHE OREGONIAN Test kits cost $25 to $30. The most reliable, according to Ray Paris of the Oregon Health Division, is an "alpha track" tester-a canister containing a special type of film that, when develop– ed, shows tracking from radioactive alpha particles. The canister is left in place for at least three months before it is analyzed. When results of the mapping study were publicized on June 17, the response was immediate. "We were inundated with calls for the first few days-about 500 calls in that first wave. But it has trailed off," says Paris. George Toombs, the Health Division's radon coordinator, makes house calls to advise home owners of what they can do to reduce radon. One such visit was to the home of Diane and Mark Danielson of northeast Portland. Diane had purchased a radon detector after a neighbor-a non– smoker-died of lung cancer. Although radon was never proven as a factor in the death, Diane wanted to play it safe. Her home had a high reading, so she called contractors who bid as much as $6,000 to correct the problem. Surpris– ed at the price, she then called Toombs at the Health Division, who showed her alternatives for fixing the problem. Taking his advice, she spent about $2,000 for corrective measures, includ– ing reconfiguring the furnace ducts so that they brought in outside air, and moving the clothes dryer to a closed room by an open window. Outside of Portland, the highest radon levels have been found in the hills of west Salem, where a $3 million mansion showed a surprising 160 pico– curies per liter. The owners spent $10,000 to mitigate the problem, says Bums, which brought the level down to less than 2 picocurie . The next step in the study is for Bums and his colleagues to go into the lesser populated areas of eastern Oregon. By the time their work is finished, Oregon could be one of the best documented states in the country for radon-a fact that will help make residents breathe a little easier. D Cancer Risk of Radon PSU geologist Scott Bums and the Oregon Health Division agree that indoor radon is a health hazard. But the data is fuzzy as to exactly how much. A Swedish study published in the New England Journal of Medicine involving 9,000 homes showed that moderate levels of radon (3.8 to 10.8 picocuries per liter) could increase cancer risk by 30 percent. Residents with radon levels above 10.8 picocuries had an 80 percent greater risk. Of two studies conducted in China, one showed a link between residen– tial radon and lung cancer, and the other didn't. Yet another study by the University of Kansas showed a strong link, but only among smokers. Why not play it safe. For literature about radon and maps of potentially high areas of Oregon, contact the Oregon Health Division's radiation control section at Suite 705, 800 NE Oregon St., Portland, OR 97232, or call them at 731-4272. For out-of-towners, the health division has a toll-free number: (800) SOS-RADON. The Health Division also has information about where you can buy home radiation test kits. D FALL1994 17