Handbook of Radon.
12. Further reading on radon.
This Section presents the author's view of some of the reference books and other publications on radon. The list is not exhaustive. Some books are not mentioned. Much contemporary information can be found only in research papers (and some in this Handbook can be found nowhere else).
Radon and its decay products in indoor air. An expensive reference book edited by scientists from LBL in California. Probably the best single specialist work available for student level studies and advanced topics. International contributors. Edited by Nazaroff and Nero, Wiley Interscience, 1988. ISBN 0-471-62810-7.
IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans. Volume 43: man-made mineral fibres and radon. IARC, Lyon, France (in English) World Health Organisation. Most of this book is devoted to MMMF but the section on radon forms a useful reference base for epidemiology. ISBN 92-832-1243-6
Air Quality Guidelines for Europe. World Health Organisation, Europe. A summary of risk data and properties for over 30 compounds and elements, including radon. Useful for risk studies. ISBN 92-890-1114-9.
Radiation and Health: the Biological Effects of Low-level Exposure to Ionising Radiation. Conference proceedings edited by Russell-Jones and Southwood. Purely medical/political but recommended for the expertise of the contributors, not all of whom agree with each other. Very readable but now six years old. Wiley & Sons ISBN 0-471-91674-9.
Handbook of Radon in Buildings. Detection Safety and Control. An American multi-authored book produced for the DOE. Comprehensive and scientific but somehow lacks the appeal and readability of the Nazaroff and Nero text, also published in 1988 (see above). Hemisphere Publishing Corp. ISBN 0-89116-823-0
A vast amount of literature is available from NRPB in the UK and especially from EPA in the USA. The range, quality and relevance to all but specialist readers varies widely. Some EPA literature is renowned primarily for its mass. Much is of interest for historical perspective. Dose and risk estimates in all early publications are now out of date.
For schools, the NRPB broadsheets on radiation (nine are now available) are good value, being free of charge. They are a little slanted in places, but authoritative, readable, colourful and well presented. Available direct from NRPB, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon. OX11 0RQ. The NRPB booklet Living with radiation may also be recommended for general reading. ISBN 0-85951-320-3, available from HMSO. Another very readable and authoritative booklet is Radiation: effects and control, published by the Atomic Energy Authority, Harwell, Oxon.