Barron's AP Environmental Science by Gary S. Thorpe

Author:Gary S. Thorpe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Barron's Educational Series
Published: 2017-04-06T04:00:00+00:00

Figure 9.2 Radon risk in the United States

CASE STUDIES

READING PRONG: A particularly uranium-rich geological formation, called the Reading Prong (or Highlands area), stretches from Pennsylvania through northwestern New Jersey into southern New York. Rocks in the Reading Prong are mostly granites, are very old (almost one billion years), and contain high concentrations of uranium. Testing of homes built along this geologic formation has revealed high indoor levels of radon gas. In New Jersey, where concern has centered on about 250,000 homes and other buildings on top of the Reading Prong, uranium lies under much of the northern half of the state, an area with 1.6 million buildings. Furthermore, glacial debris from the last ice age tends to be very thick in this area, which can prevent radon gas from escaping to the surface prior to its breakdown into another radioactive element.

WORLD TRADE CENTER (SEPTEMBER 11, 2001): Explosions resulting from the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City released massive amounts of dust into the air. The air was measured for dioxins and found to be the highest concentration of dioxins that has ever been reported in history, averaging 5.6 parts per trillion, or nearly six times the highest dioxin level ever recorded in the U.S., with dioxin levels in the rubble measured at 170 parts per trillion. More than 37,000 first responders and survivors have been declared sick due to exposure, and more than 1,100 have died.

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