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Assessing the Impact of Housing Features and Environmental Factors on Home Indoor Radon Concentration Levels on the Navajo Nation

Author

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  • Sheldwin A. Yazzie

    (Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center, Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board, Inc., 7001 Prospect Place NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, USA)

  • Scott Davis

    (Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Box 357236, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Health Sciences Building, F-250D, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Noah Seixas

    (Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Box 354695, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

  • Michael G. Yost

    (Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Box 354695, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

Abstract

Uranium is naturally found in the environment as a radioactive metal element with high concentrations in the Southwestern US. In this region is the Navajo Nation, which spans approximately 69,930 square kilometers. A decay product of uranium is radon gas, a lung carcinogen that has no color, odor, or taste. Radon gas may pass from soil into homes; and, indoor accumulation has been associated with geographical location, seasonality, home construction materials, and home ventilation. A home and indoor radon survey was conducted from November 2014 through May 2015, with volunteers who reported residence on the Navajo Nation. Home geolocation, structural characteristics, temperature (°C) during radon testing, and elevation (meters) were recorded. Short-term indoor radon kits were used to measure indoor radon levels. 51 homes were measured for indoor radon levels, with an arithmetic mean concentration of 60.5 Becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m 3 ) (SD = 42.7). The mean indoor radon concentrations (Bq/m 3 ) by house type were: mobile, 29.0 (SD = 22.9); wood, 58.6 (SD = 36.0); hogan, 74.0 (SD = 0.0); homes constructed of cement and wood, 82.6 (SD = 3.5); and homes constructed of concrete and cement, 105.7 (SD = 55.8). A key observation is that house construction type appears to be associated with the mean home indoor radon concentration. This observation has been published in that the basic structural make-up of the home may affect home ventilation and therefore indoor radon concentration levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Sheldwin A. Yazzie & Scott Davis & Noah Seixas & Michael G. Yost, 2020. "Assessing the Impact of Housing Features and Environmental Factors on Home Indoor Radon Concentration Levels on the Navajo Nation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2813-:d:347606
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ji Hyun Park & Cheol Min Lee & Dae Ryong Kang, 2019. "A Deterministic Model for Estimating Indoor Radon Concentrations in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-8, September.
    2. Roscoe, R.J. & Deddens, J.A. & Salvan, A. & Schnorr, T.M., 1995. "Mortality among Navajo uranium miners," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 85(4), pages 535-540.
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    Cited by:

    1. Eman Leung & Albert Lee & Yilin Liu & Chi-Tim Hung & Ning Fan & Sam C. C. Ching & Hilary Yee & Yinan He & Richard Xu & Hector Wing Hong Tsang & Jingjing Guan, 2024. "Impact of Environment on Pain among the Working Poor: Making Use of Random Forest-Based Stratification Tool to Study the Socioecology of Pain Interference," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-21, February.

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