Week 4 Assignment - Living with Environmental Risks from Nature

Environmental Risk Assessment of Radon Exposure Student’s name Department: University Course: Course Code Instructor’s name Date Radon exposure is an occurring risk that exists naturally causing risk to human health. Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed from the decay of uranium found in rocks and soils. It is undetectable without specialized equipment, as it has no smell, color, or taste. It poses a significant danger threat to humans when they come into contact with it especially those who reside in buildings with poor ventilation. It increases indoor air concentrations, leading to long-term exposure and posing health issues. These impacts and how radon ends in contact with humans are the base for this research. Radon needs to be looked at and reduced since the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports radon as the main cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. According to EPA estimates, 21,000 people lose their lives in the US yearly due to lung cancer caused by radon exposure. The risk of radon exposure at present highlights the need for ongoing research and risk reduction strategies designed to protect public health and reduce lung cancer caused by radon. Analysis Scientific Issue Having a scientific knowledge on radon emission from its sources, where it is formed geologically to move into human buildings, is fundamental. The primary source of radon is the decay of uranium, which is present in different concentrations across various parts of the world. Natural factors such as the amount of uranium, permeability of the ground, and porosity drive how fast the gas will be emitted (Tefan et al., 2020). When it is released from the source, it uses pores and cracks to enter the house through the foundation, floors, or walls. Understanding the link between geological settings, climate patterns, and building qualities is critical for effective risk reduction approaches and proper risk assessment. This scientific issue is important because it forms the background for identifying areas of higher risks, predict indoor amounts of radon, and coming up with remediation strategies; through advancing our knowledge on radon emission mechanisms, scientists can develop more accurate models for predicting, refine risk mapping, and modify the building construction policies to minimize radon ingress. Technological Issue Technology is key in addressing random release issues. Emerging technology is considered the main factor in developing devices with high sensitivity and reassurance of their radon detection and measurement precision. Knowing the amount of radon in the house in quantifiable ways is very important for effectively assessing risk and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies. Scientists have developed ways to detect radon; the main ones are charcoal canisters, alpha/etched track detectors, and Electronic radon monitors (Appleton et al., 2020). Though, the methods have some challenges. For example, charcoal canisters need laboratory analysis and give only a time-averaged measurement; on the other hand, alpha track detectors need a longer time and is prone to environmental factors. Electronic radon monitors is effective in giving real-time measurements but are expensive. The importance of this technological issue lies in the need for cost-effective, user-friendly, and widely accessible radon detection methods. Advances in sensor technology, miniaturization, and wireless communication could pave the way for the development of innovative radon monitoring systems that can provide continuous, accurate, and spatially resolved data. Such technologies would enable homeowners, building managers, and public health authorities to proactively identify and address elevated ra...