Radon at home

The increase in the incidence of lung cancer among non-smoking individuals is triggering research to explore other potential contributing factors. Radon has been identified as a cause of respiratory disease and lung cancer in workers. An in-depth study is necessary to assess the impact of this gas, which displays highly heterogeneous behaviour. This research should be conducted in private homes and working places, involving society using basic and low-cost equipment. Perception of risk related to high radon concentration at home is not as clear as for other more visible hazards and stablishing an easy protocol to improve the environmental protection and the sustainable development is suggested. In addition, transfer of knowledge to the society is recommended to involve the public in the solution. For instance, graphs illustrating the varying behaviour of radon under different conditions could be used. This study has used basic equipment in an inhabited family house, registering variations in radon levels associated with changes in weather conditions. The results obtained are inconsistent with previously published data related to geological materials where the house is emplaced and the influence of weather changes. Major highlights of the research are:
• High concentrations of indoor radon may be one cause of the increase of lung cancer in non-smokers.
• Decrease in indoor radon was observed during big storms, contradicting published results.
• Geological materials may not be the only responsible of high levels of radon.
• Low-cost equipment can be use to involve the society in the study of indoor radon, increasing their perception of this risk.