Description

For sample adults ages 18 and older whose household air was tested for radon, RADGUIDE indicates if the household's radon level exceeded the EPA guidelines of 4 picocuries per liter.

RADGUIDE is included in the sample adult section within a series of questions about environmental health concerns, including testing for lead and radon. For more information and related variables, see RADHEAR or use the IPUMS NHIS search function and drop-down menus.

Comparability

Prior to 1993, this question was only asked of respondents who did not know or refused to answer the exact tested radon level of their homes; after 1993 RADGUIDE was asked of sample adults whose homes were tested for radon, and then used to filter if respondents were asked about the specific radon level (where only those respondents whose tested radon levels exceeded EPA guidelines were asked about the specific tested radon level). Data users should exercise caution when comparing pre-1993 samples with the 1993 samples forward.

Changes in survey design (e.g., quarters in which the supplement was collected) may affect raw frequencies, but do not affect comparability of the variable. As always, data users should use the prescribed IHIS weights.

Universe

Availability

• 1990-1991, 1993-1994, 1998

Weights

• 1990-1991, 1998 : SAMPWEIGHT
• 1993-1994 : SUPP2WT