Abstract
Uranium is naturally found in the environment as a radioactive metal element with high concentrations in the Southwestern US. In this region is the Navajo Nation, which spans approximately 69,930 square kilometers. A decay product of uranium is radon gas, a lung carcinogen that has no color, odor, or taste. Radon gas may pass from soil into homes; and, indoor accumulation has been associated with geographical location, seasonality, home construction materials, and home ventilation. A home and indoor radon survey was conducted from November 2014 through May 2015, with volunteers who reported residence on the Navajo Nation. Home geolocation, structural characteristics, temperature (°C) during radon testing, and elevation (meters) were recorded. Short-term indoor radon kits were used to measure indoor radon levels. 51 homes were measured for indoor radon levels, with an arithmetic mean concentration of 60.5 Becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3) (SD = 42.7). The mean indoor radon concentrations (Bq/m3) by house type were: mobile, 29.0 (SD = 22.9); wood, 58.6 (SD = 36.0); hogan, 74.0 (SD = 0.0); homes constructed of cement and wood, 82.6 (SD = 3.5); and homes constructed of concrete and cement, 105.7 (SD = 55.8). A key observation is that house construction type appears to be associated with the mean home indoor radon concentration. This observation has been published in that the basic structural make-up of the home may affect home ventilation and therefore indoor radon concentration levels.
Highlights
IntroductionThis project was undertaken to provide analytic support to the Community Uranium Exposure
Journey to Healing Program (CUEJTH), which is sponsored by the Navajo Area Indian Health, Service located in Shiprock, New Mexico [1]
Of the homes observed in this study, 13% of concrete and cement homes were observed to have indoor radon concentrations above the EPA
Summary
This project was undertaken to provide analytic support to the Community Uranium Exposure. Journey to Healing Program (CUEJTH), which is sponsored by the Navajo Area Indian Health, Service located in Shiprock, New Mexico [1]. The Navajo Nation is located on the Colorado Plateau, a region which contains high levels of natural uranium in the soil and rocks [2,3]. A decay product of uranium is radon, a lung carcinogen, which has no color or odor and is able to diffuse from the soil into homes. Radon is a radioactive noble gas that is inert, colorless, odorless, denser than air, and soluble in water [4]. Radon concentration in the air is measured in units of radioactivity per
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