The risk of radon induced lung cancer in rental accommodation

Abstract

The radon concentration in the indoor air was measured in 221 rental accommodations located in 53 buildings, including 28 multi-occupant houses and 25 single-family terraced houses constructed between 1850 and 2010. The overall annual mean value of the concentration of radon in the indoor air was 30.7 Bq/m3. The annual mean value of the concentration of radon in the indoor air exceeded 100 Bq/m3 in 5.9% of the accommodations, all located in single-family terraced houses. For single-family terraced houses the annual mean value of the concentration of radon in the indoor air exceeded 100 Bq/m3 in 52% of the houses and 12% exceeded 200 Bq/m3. Approx. 77% of the accommodations exceeding 100 Bq/m3 for the concentration of radon in the indoor air had a content between 100 and 200 Bq/m3 and 23% had a content exceeding 200 Bq/m3. Significant differences in the concentration of radon in the indoor were found in accommodations located in multi-occupant houses. Additionally, the risk of the concentration of radon in the indoor air exceeding 100 Bq/m3 in accommodations in multi-occupant houses was found to be very low, but if any the risk was highest in accommodations on the ground floor in a building constructed with slab on ground.