"New Study Raises Possible Link Between Gas Drilling And Radon Levels"

"Radon levels in buildings near unconventional natural gas development in Pennsylvania are higher than those in other areas of the state, suggesting that hydraulic fracturing has opened up new pathways for the carcinogenic gas to enter people’s homes, according to a study published on Thursday. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide.

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University analyzed radon readings taken in some 860,000 buildings, mostly homes, from 1989 to 2013 and found that those in rural and suburban areas where most shale gas wells are located had a concentration of the cancer-causing radioactive gas that was 39 percent higher overall than those in urban areas.

It also found that buildings using well water had a 21 percent higher concentration of radon than those served by municipal water systems."

Jon Hurdle and Susan Phillips report for StateImpact Pennsylvania (NPR) April 9, 2015.

SEE ALSO:

"Radon Levels Have Increased Near Pennsylvania Fracking Sites" (InsideClimate News)