Radon
Health Risks
National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Reports
Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VI Report: "The Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Radon"
The National Research Council has published the report, entitled: "Health Effects of Exposure to Radon: BEIR VI, Committee on Health Risks of Exposure to Radon (BEIR VI)". This report by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) is the most definitive accumulation of scientific data on indoor radon. The report confirms that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and that it is a serious public health problem. The study fully supports EPA estimates that radon causes about 15,000 lung cancer deaths per year.
- The ISBN number for the book is 0-309-056454-4; National Academy Press, 516 pages, 1999. The listed hardcover price for the book is $54.95 U.S. and $66.00 Intl. The Report can be read and purchased from The National Academies Press
- Read the Executive Summary and the Public Summary at http://books.nap.edu/html/beir6/
NAS Report on Radon in Drinking Water - "Risk Assessment of Radon in Drinking Water"
The report, released September 15, 1998 by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), is the most comprehensive accumulation of scientific data on the public health risks of radon in drinking water. The report was required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. The NAS report (BEIR VI) issued earlier this year confirmed that radon is a serious public health threat. This newer report goes on to refine the risks of radon in drinking water and confirms that there are drinking water related cancer deaths, primarily due to lung cancer. The report in general confirms earlier EPA scientific conclusions and analyses for drinking water, and presents no major changes to EPA's 1994 risk assessment.
- The ISBN number for the book is ISBN-10:
0-309-06292-6/ISBN-13: 978-0-309-06292-3; National Academy Press,
256 pages, 1999. The listed hardcover price for the book is $37.46 U.S. The Report can be read and purchased from
www.nap.edu
- The NAS Executive Summary of the report and initial EPA perspectives are available online at http://water.epa.gov/lawsregs/rulesregs/sdwa/radon/nas.cfm
For More Information on Radon Health Risks:
| Read "A Citizen's Guide To Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon |
| Buying or Selling a Home? Read the "Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon" |
| Read A Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to Fix Your Home |
| Technical Support Document to the 1992 Citizens Guide [EPA 400-R-92-011, May 1992] Copies can be ordered from EPA's National Center for Environmental Publications (NSCEP) www.epa.gov/nscep |