Radon is estimated to cause 14,000 deaths per year, however this number could range from 7,000 to 30,000 deaths per year. The number of deaths from other causes are taken from 1990 National Council Reports.

Criteria for Indoor Radon and Radon Daughters

(Based on a compilation by Radiation Protection Service, Ontario Ministry of Labour )

AECB * (1) 0.15 WL Prompt Action
0.02 WL Primary Criterion
0.01 WL Investigation Level


Ontario *(2) 0.02 WL Design Criterion

Canada * (3) 800 Bq/m3 Action Level 150 Bq/m3 Target Level

USA * (4) 150 Bq/m3 EPA Action Level (4 pCi/L)
All levels do not include background concentration, currently reported to be approximately 0.0004WL(0.04 pCi/L)

0.01 WL = 2 pCi/L = 74 Bq/m3

0.02 WL = 4 pCi/L = 150 Bq/m3

0.1 WL = 20 pCi/L = 800 Bq/m3

1 WL is taken to correspond to 100 pCi/L of Radon concentration in air


Notes:

*(1) Radioactive clean-up at Port Hope and pre-77 houses in Elliot Lake and Bancroft.

*(2) Ontario Building Code Bylaw for new buildings in uranium mining communities.

*(3) Guidelines suggested by Federal/Provincial Advisory Committee on Environmental and Occupational Health.

*(4) 1987 guideline for radon in homes due to natural radiation sources.


1 pCi/L = Approximately 225 MREM


[Glossary]
Nor Environmental