A Statistical Analysis of the Follow-Up Study of Radon Measures in Private Homes and Public Buildings Carried out in Four European Towns with an Esteem of Lung Cancer Risk

Buildings can artificially concentrate radioactive radon gas of geologic origin, exposing occupants to harmful α particle radiation emissions that damage DNA and increase lung cancer risk. We investigated how radon exposure varies in public and residential buildings by floor, geological soil, by occupant behaviour and season in two year-long measurement campaigns in four European towns (Torino twice, Bergen, Lund and Reykjavik) based upon CR-39 detectors. Radon concentration data were analyzed using multiple approaches coupling geologic, geographic, architectural, seasonal data with advanced statistical tests. Soils investigation about the concentration amount of the two main radon ancestors, uranium and thorium, were carried out in sample collected near the measurements points. Measurements of radon concentration by a gamma spectrometer were done in water samples taken around Torino too, in order to give an evaluation of another possible radon source. Uncertainty on average radon concentration has a large impact to define an efficient and integrated strategy for national radon control in order to reduce human exposure. Radon as well as its progenies account for around 50% of the total effective dose received from all sources of natural radiation (around 2.4 mSv annual dose) and is responsible for a sensible fraction of lung cancer and leukemia. All the results are shown and discussed and an evaluation of the cancer and leukemia risk related to radon exposure data has been computed.