Element of Risk: The Politics of Radon

Yes, this book really needs an update, but if you are worried about radon levels in your home, this book is required reading. The author clearly presents the science of radon and its relationship to lung cancer. He thoroughly reviews the data and, most importantly, the uncertainties involved in linking lung cancer rates to radon levels. You will learn that there isn't much disagreement about the scientific data but it has been used to reach widely-varying public policies on acceptable radon levels. He does a fine job of presenting the policy positions of people who think that the EPA 4 pc/l limit is too high, too low, or "just right". The author's sympathies are clearly with those who maintain that the EPA limit is too low, and he argues effectively for using the 10-20 pc/l limit that is the policy in other countries, - specifically Canada, Sweden, and Norway. A good bit of the book is devoted to reviews of the US media coverage of radon issues and the struggles that politicians have had with setting public policy. These sections contain some interesting stories of bureaucratic confusion and mismanagement, but this part of the book is mostly of interest to students of media and political science. My conclusion from reading this book is that you are a non-smoker, you should consider taking action if your long-term (3 months or more) radon levels are above 20 pc/l. Below that level, the health risks are somewhere between low and none. And if you are a smoker, quitting smoking will reduce your chances of getting lung cancer far more than anything you can do about radon.

A worthwhile book. For those wanting to learn about radon, it is far better than the "dumbed down" publications the EPA provides to the general audience. Presents several points of view as to the possible radon health threat. The book also provides insight into how one U.S. federal standard (the 4 pCi/L "limit") was set. What this book really needs is an updated edition. A lot more data have been collected since this book was published in 1993.