Radon retesting and mitigation behavior among the U.S. population.

Abstract

Relatively few data are available about how people comply with Environmental Protection Agency recommendations concerning retesting and mitigation after either an initial screening or long term test for radon gas. Using data from the 1990 and 1991 National Health Interview Surveys, we found that 40.7% (standard error 6.4%) of homes with radon levels above 148 Bq m(-3) in 1990 and 34.3% (standard error 4.9%) of homes with levels above 148 Bq m(-3) in 1991 were retested. Among homes that were retested and had either an initial screening or followup test above 148 Bq m(-3), 28.2% (standard error 6.4%) were mitigated in 1990 compared with 48.4% (standard error 14.4%) that did so in 1991. These results suggest that most people are not complying with current EPA recommendations for retesting and mitigation.