Abstract Radon is generally regarded as a naturally occurring radiological hazard but we report here measurements of significant, hazardous radon concentrations that arise from man-made sources: for example, radium-dial watches. This study is an examination and assessment of health risks from radium and uranium found in historical artefacts, and the radon that emanates from them. This includes radium-dial watches, the main focus, plus clocks, aircraft instruments, and ornaments and artefacts made of uranium glass/uranium-glazed. Such objects were very popular in the 1930s and 1940s, and are still readily available today. A collection of 30 radium-dial pocket and wrist watches was measured and shown to be capable of giving rise to radon concentrations two orders of magnitude greater than the UK Domestic Action Level of 200 Bq m −3 in unventilated or poorly ventilated rooms. Furthermore, individual watches are capable of giving rise to radon concentrations in excess of the UK Domestic Action Level. We also highlight a gap in remediation protocols, which are focused on preventing radon entering buildings from outside, with regard to internally generated radon hazards. Radon as arising from man-made objects, such as radium-dial watches, should be considered appropriately in radon protocols and guidelines.

The United States continues to grow; however, the amount of water withdrawn for water supply has remained constant since 1975. Much of the available water in the West is claimed by someone. In the humid East, stakeholders in various watersheds reach a consensus on how water is moved through the watershed; the needs of large new users are accommodated by negotiating a new consensus. Often these negotiations are contentious and difficult leaving an impression that water is unavailable. Even so, new water users are being supplied continually with water. New users get water through conservation, increased efficiency, or reuse by current users that extends the supply, or by acquiring water from current users. Water is continually being reapportioned—reallocated. With the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, the country moved aggressively and with great success to eliminate point sources of pollution. As a consequence, both streams and groundwater have been cleaned up. Legislation has made the liability for pollution unacceptable to both individuals and firms and has effectively diminished current and future point sources of pollution. The more difficult problem of reducing non–point sources of pollution remains to be effectively addressed. There are large data gaps. While the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) provides five-year summaries of water withdrawals, there is no set of national data on water consumption. There is also no nationwide summary of water quality. The USGS samples water quality in 50 representative watersheds, but these data have not been aggregated to form a national summary of water quality—presumably the USGS is working to fill this data gap.