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Radionuclides in Air
Some radioactive materials - most of which are naturally-occurring elements - are actually air pollutants. All
of them, as a whole, are a relatively small proportion of the many elements and chemicals that are considered
air pollution. Radon is the most significant of these elements, but most radon exposure stems from the indoor
environment. Improving technology continues to minimize man-made radioactive air pollutants and monitor
air quality.
Under EPA's Clean Air Act, significant air pollutants include ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide,
sulfur dioxide and lead. An additional 189 air pollutants are considered toxic in small amounts, including
cadmium, benzene and radionuclides.
Air pollution affects everyone to some extent, but it is particularly harmful to the following groups:
• Residents of major metropolitan areas, especially those areas with large industrial facilities;
• Children, who tend to be more active outdoors and whose lungs are still developing
• Individuals suffering from respiratory illnesses, like asthma; and
• The elderly, especially sufferers from heart or lung disease.
Terrestrial Radiation (Radon)
The majority of our total radiation exposure stems from naturally-occurring radioactive materials, including
uranium, thorium, and radon. The most significant of these is radon — a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas
that comes from the decay of radium found in nearly all soils. Levels of radon vary throughout the country.
From the ground, radon migrates into homes and other buildings through cracks and holes in foundations or
walls. Accumulated radon, trapped inside the buildings, may become a health hazard if the building is not
properly ventilated. Radon in the air decays into radioactive polonium, which, if inhaled, can damage lung
cells and can even lead to lung cancer.
In a January 2005 news release, the U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona noted that radon is the second
leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, with more than 20,000 Americans dying each year from
radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths, and smokers exposed to radon are
at an even higher risk than nonsmokers. Dr. Carmona also noted that "radon can be detected with a simple
test and fixed through well-established venting techniques."
Cosmic Radiation
Another 8% of our radiation exposure comes from outer space, originating from our galaxy, other galaxies,
and even our own sun. People in higher elevations, such as those who live in the mountains or fly on
airplanes, experience higher doses of cosmic radiation. The atmosphere shields us from cosmic radiation.
The more air that is between us and outer space, the more shielding we have. While radon is absorbed
through breathing, cosmic particles are absorbed through the skin.
Industrial Emissions
Nuclear power plants, mining facilities, and research facilities are man-made contributors to radioactive air
pollutants. These industrial facilities account for less than 0.1% of the average American's total radiation
exposure, much less than that from medical x-rays and various consumer products.
Health and the environment become a concern when radionuclides are released into the air as a result of
facility accidents, nuclear weapons testing or acts of terrorism. Air monitors are used to track changes in
radiation levels and assess the spread of contamination in the case of a radiation accident or incident.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J) | EPA 402-F-06-048
April 2006
www.epa.gov/radtown/air.html
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RadTown USA
Who is protecting you
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Under EPA's Clean Air Act, EPA's Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) develops national programs, technical
policies, and regulations for controlling air pollution and radiation exposure. Within OAR, the Office of
Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA) maintains responsibility to protect the public from the risks of radiation.
Additionally, EPA's RadNet program monitors the air throughout the country for changes in radiation levels
and assesses the spread of contamination in the case of a radiation accident or incident.
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The DOE's Department of Environmental Management issues regulations related to spills, releases, and
clean-up of radiation in the air from DOE facilities. DOE has requirements that limit how much
radiation may be released from its facilities, and it ensures that all facility operators comply with these
internal agency standards.
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Agency (NRC) and Agreement States
The primary mission of the NRC is to protect public health and the environment from the effects of radiation
from nuclear reactors, materials, and waste facilities. Thirty-three states have signed formal agreements with
the NRC, providing these states regulatory responsibility over small quantities of special nuclear material,
special nuclear material sources and their byproducts. These states are known as NRC Agreement States.
State Environmental Protection Divisions/Agencies
Individual states have the authority to also establish standards for radiation protection, and many have
adopted such standards. The state agencies also are empowered to enforce compliance with these standards
in order to ensure public health and the environment are protected from industrial and governmental uses of
radioactive materials.
What can you do to protect yourself
• Test Your Home for Radon - Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk
from radon. If you do not wish to hire a professional, using a low-cost, "do-it-yourself' radon test kit
only takes a few minutes of your time. You should test your home for radon every two years, and
retest any time you move, make structural changes to your home, or occupy a previously unused level
of a building. Radon in the air is measured in units known as "picocuries per liter," or "pCi/L."
Sometimes test results are expressed in Working Levels (WL) rather than pCi/L. If you have a radon
level of 4 pCi/L (0.16 WL) or more, take steps to remedy the problem as soon as possible. If you find
radon concentrations above 4 pCi/L, you can reduce them through methods that can be as simple as
sealing cracks in floors and walls or as complex as installing systems that use pipes and fans to draw
radon out of the home or building.
• Be Informed - Cosmic radiation is a natural part of the background radiation, and there is little that
can or needs to be done to protect yourself from it. Emissions of radioactive materials from routine
operations of nuclear power plants should not require any protective actions on your part. However,
in the event of an accident or a significant unplanned release, you may be instructed to evacuate or
shelter-in-place. During such an event you should listen to the radio or television for information and
instructions from your local emergency management directors and/or your elected officials.
United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J) | EPA 402-F-06-048 April 2006
www.epa.gov/radtown/air.html
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RadTown USA
Resources
You can explore this radiation source further through the resources at the following URL:
http: //www .epa. gov/radtown/air .html#re sources
We provide these resources on-line rather than here so we can keep the links up-to-date.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J) | EPA 402-F-06-048
April 2006
www.epa.gov/radtown/air.html
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