ASSESSING RADON RISKS IN PIEDMONT ROCKS OF THE RICHMOND, VIRGINIA REGION

Radon inhalation kills more people in the U.S. than drunk driving, and globally, radon is a leading cause of lung cancers. Although radon is a decay product of uranium-238, public awareness of this naturally occurring hazard is low. The Piedmont of Virginia is a densely populated, geologically complex region and the potential for radon hazards are poorly understood. This study aims to provide an initial examination of radon production potential in the Richmond, Virginia area. Samples of Paleozoic Petersburg Granite and Triassic rift basin Doswell Formation sediments (conglomerate, sandstone, and shale) were collected from two locations to allow for comparison of uranium-238 concentrations between crystalline and clastic textures. Rock samples from each lithology were processed for gamma spectrometry. Preliminary data suggest that the Petersburg Granite demonstrated significantly higher (10x) concentrations of uranium-238 than the sedimentary rocks. Given these initial findings, additional samples of the Petersburg Granite are being analyzed to verify high concentrations of uranium-238 between sampling locations. Data from this study will allow for more informed predictions of radon hazards within particular lithologic units, in turn increasing awareness of radon risks and improving public health.