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Radon has been identified by the U.S. EPA as the second

leading cause of lung cancer. Radon gas exists naturally at

low levels. When the gas becomes concentrated in living

spaces, a health hazard arises. The most recent radon risk

assessment for Portland, Oregon was performed in 2013.

For the first time the 2013 analysis included long-term and

short-term (3-7 day) tests. Access to this new short-term

radon data allowed for analysis based on season. Season

was defined for the climate of Portland, Oregon as tests

ending: winter (October 1-March 31), summer (June 1-

August 31), and swing (March 1-April 31 and September 1-

30). A total of 14,873 indoor residential structure readings

were analyzed, defining 66 zip codes with one or more

seasonal radon potentials. Both overall and within season

zip code radon data were examined for maximum radon

reading, average radon reading, and percent greater than 4

pCi/l, which combine to determine the radon potential.

Statistical t-tests were also performed to determine

significance. Based on the analysis of all seasonal short-

term radon testing, winter tests result in statistically

significantly higher readings than tests in summer or swing

months. No significant difference was found in tests

between summer and swing months. Winter short-term

radon potential most closely parallels overall short-term

radon potential for individual zip codes (89% agreement).

Short-term tests are not good indicators of long-term test

results (<66% agreement). If a short-term test is necessary,

a winter season test is suitable. These data support

current EPA guidelines regarding radon testing.

Abstract

• Radon-222 is a colorless, odorless, naturally

occurring gas

• Radon has been know to be a health hazard

since 1984

• Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung

cancer overall and the leading cause of lung

cancer among non-smokers

• Radon-222 gas comes from the radioactive

decay of uranium-238 and is the only gaseous

daughter product

• Radon-222 has a half-life of 3.8 days

• Average outdoor radon level is 0.4 pCi/l

• Average indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/l

• The U.S. EPA has defined the action level for

indoor radon at 4.0 pCi/l

• The U.S. EPA estimates 1 in 15 residential

structures in the country has high radon levels

• Studies of the Portland, Oregon Metro area

have estimated as high as 1 in 3 residences

having high radon levels

Radon Facts

Results

Figure 4: Potential Comparison- Overall Short Term vs. Winter Season

Of the 62 winter zip code potentials 55 are the same as Linde et al. 2013 overall zip code radon

potentials (89%).

Figure 1: Radon Potential-Summer (1 June-31 Aug) Tests 2861, Max 689.6 pCi/l, Average

3.8 pCi/l, %>4 pCi/l 26%. A total of 45 zip codes were categorized:

High n=13 (29%),Moderate n=27 (60%), Low n=5 (11%)

Methods Season was defined by the climate of the Portland Metro area Winter Season was defined as all short-term tests ending between 1 October-31 March Summer Season was defined as all short-term tests ending between 1 June-31 August Swing Season was defined as all short-term tests ending between 1 April-31 May and 1-31 September

Radon Potential

*If a season within a zip code had less than ten records available, the risk potential was left uncategorized for that season.

T-tests

Datasets were determined to be significantly different if the number of tests

within the set was ten or greater and significance was 0.05 or less (95%

confidence). T-tests were performed for overall season significance as well

as within each zip code.

Conclusions

• Winter has significantly higher indoor radon

readings than both Summer and Swing (Figures 1-3).

• Summer indoor radon readings are not significantly

different from Swing (Figure 1-2).

• Season of testing for indoor radon is a significant

factor in the result of the test.

• Winter season short-term tests are a good analogue

for the overall radon potential for an individual zip

code (Figure 4).

• Long-term radon potential was not closely paralleled

by any season which indicated that long-term tests

should still be favored to produce the most accurate

radon reading (Figure 5).

• Due to highly variable geology, soil properties, and

construction types, every residential structure should

be tested for radon (Figures 6-7).

• When a residential structure is tested (long-term or

short-term) as much as possible of the winter season

for the area should be included.

• The definition of seasons will vary from location to

location due to climate. References

EPA, 2009, Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon:

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html#5.a. (November 26, 2012)

Hemple, S., and Burns, S., 2003, Indoor Radon Values for the Portland, Oregon Area: Portland,

Oregon, Portland State University, Department of Geology.

Linde, T., Lindsey, K., Whitney, H., Icefire, S., Theisen, D., and Burns, S., 2013, A comparison

of geology to radon test data in Portland, Oregon, Oregon Academy of Science, Willamette

University, vol 72 p.48.

Lindsey, K., and Burns, S., 2013 Radon values for Oregon, Oregon Academy of Science,

Willamette University, vol 72 p. 49.

Oregon Climate Service, 2013, Oregon Climate: http://www.ocs.orst.edu/climate-of-oregon (June

20, 2013)

Surgeon General, 2005, Surgeon General Releases National Health Advisory on Radon:

http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/news/2005/01/sg01132005.html (November 20, 2012).

Whitney, H., Lindsey, K., Linde, T., Theisen, D., Icefire, S., Burns, S., 2013 Radon in homes of the

Portland, Oregon area: Radon data from local radon testing companies collected by CRM

(Continuous Radon Measurement) machines, Oregon Academy of Science, Willamette

University, vol. 72, p. 51.

1Portland State University, Oregon, USA Selicity Icefire1, Tamara Linde1, Scott Burns1

The Importance of Season in the Testing of Radon using Short-Term tests in Residential Structures, Portland, Oregon

Figure 7: Underlying major bedrock deposits and faults of the Portland Metro area Figure 6: Locations of coarse and fine-grained flood deposits

Figure 5: Potential Comparison- Overall Long-Term vs. All Seasons

Of the 74 long-term zip code potentials from Linde et al. 2013 only 15 zip code radon potentials are

continuous through all three seasons and long-term tests (20%).

Figure 3: Radon Potential-Winter (1 Oct-31Mar) Tests 7967, Max 976.2 pCi/l, Average 4.8 pCi/l,

%>4 pCi/l 35%. A total of 62 zip codes were categorized:

High n=19 (31%),Moderate n=34 (55%), Low n=7 (11%)

Figure 2: Radon Potential-Swing (1 Apr-31 May and 1-31 Sept) Tests 4045, Max 110.4 pCi/l, Average 4.0 pCi/l, %>4 pCi/l 31%. A total of 56 zip codes were categorized:

High n=16 (29%),Moderate n=28 (50%), Low n=12 (21%)

Max Rank Average Rank %> 4 pCi/l Rank Rank Sum=Potential*

High >10 pCi/l 3 > 4pCi/l 3 >35% 3 9-8

Medium 4-9.9 pCi/l 2 2-4 pCi/l 2 16-35% 2 7-5

Low <4 pCi/l 1 <2 pCi/l 1 <16% 1 4-2