A Re-Evaluation of the US EPA Radon Risk Categorization for Unicoi County, Tennessee.

<p>Effective risk communication is based on appropriate risk characterization. A reevaluation of the 1987 US EPA radon risk categorization of Unicoi County Tennessee was conducted using in-home radon concentrations, determined in a long-term monitoring study. Radon concentrations were measured in 69 homes using Electret Passive Environmental Radon Monitors (E-PERM’s), following standard methods. Radon concentrations determined in this study (avg. 4.03 ± 3.04) were significantly higher than those measured in the USEPA study (avg. 1.96 ± 1.08). Using this study’s data, the risk categorization was recalculated with the US EPA Radon Index Matrix Model. The model re-categorized Unicoi County from a moderate to a high risk zone classification. These results suggest that the health risks associated with in-home radon concentrations are inaccurately categorized and communicated to the citizens of Unicoi County, Tennessee.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MSEH (Master of Science in Environmental Health)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Environmental Health

Year dc:date.issued

2003

Author dc:creator

• Parsons, William Grant

• radon
• E-PERM
• USEPA
• matrix model
• Environmental Health and Protection
• Environmental Monitoring
• Environmental Sciences
• Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/805

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-1962