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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

zugui Zhang, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Department of Biostatistics, Iowa City, IA 52242, (319)353-4789, jrinsky@asph.org

It is well-known that inhalation of radon (²²²Rn) and ²²²Rn decay products increases the risk of lung cancer and prolonged residential radon exposure is considered the second leading cause of lung cancer. The Upper Midwest, including Iowa, has the highest radon concentration in the U.S. However, Studies examining the temporal radon variation in homes across different regions and over years are lacking, but are needed to assess the accuracy of retrospective radon exposure reconstructions that are based on a one year radon measurement. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by examining temporal variation of radon concentrations in homes over time and investigating factors that affect the temporal variability of radon measurements. The coefficient of variation (COV) was used as a measure of relative variation between multiple measurements in different areas of the same floor. The generalized linear model analysis was applied to investigate factors related to COV. The results indicate that duration between yearly testing is the most important factor. Other factors include crawl space materials, lowest level construction materials, location of ground, and time of fireplace in use. Factors related to the COV vary for different types of homes and levels of floors. Factors affecting the COV of residential radon concentrations are similar to those affecting radon measurements, but the roles of these factors may differ. This study provides important insights into the uncertainty of residential radon gas concentrations that have been incorporated into the sensitivity analyses for the global pooling of residential radon studies.

Learning Objectives:

• We identified that the significant factors affecting the COV vary for different types of homes and by levels of the home. This study provides important insights into the uncertainty of residential radon gas concentrations that have been incorporated into the sensitivity analyses for the global pooling of residential radon studies.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered