Health effects of radon: A review of the literature

Abstract

Radon is an established human lung carcinogen based on human epidemiological data supported by experimental evidence of mutagenesis studies in cell culture and laboratory animals. Extrapolation from cohort studies on miners suggested that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer death after tobacco smoke. The majority of studies on the relationship between radon and other types of cancers showed weak or no association. Low levels of radon can be found in drinking water; however, radon released during water usage adds small quantities to indoor radon concentration. Studies showed that the risk of stomach cancer and other gastrointestinal malignancies from radon in drinking water is small. Studies of the genetic and cytogenetic effects of indoor radon yielded equivocal results; while radon exposure in miners induces gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations. Numerous in vitro cytogenetic studies demonstrated that radon induces different types of genetic and cytogenetic damage that is likely to play a role in radon lung carcinogenesis.

Residential Radon and Lung Cancer Risk: An Updated Meta-analysis of Case-control Studies

“…Using various modeling approaches, results of lung cancer risk in miners were used to project lung cancer risk for general population exposed to residential radon. However, such direct extrapolation from these studies is uncertain because of the major differences between working in underground conditions and living in houses (Al-zoughool and Krewski, 2009).…”

Indoor Air Pollutants: Relevant Aspects and Health Impacts

“…Once inhaled, they deposit in lungs causing severe health effects (WHO, 2010). There is direct evidence from residential epidemiological studies that radon causes lung cancer, even at concentrations typically found in indoor air (Al-Zoughool & Krewski, 2009). Some studies suggested also an association with other cancers, in particular leukaemia and cancers of the extra-thoracic airways (WH0, 2010).…”

Air Pollution and Its Effects in the Respiratory System

“…Other studies show that radon exposure in miners induces gene mutations and chromosomal aberrations. Numerous in vitro cytogenetic studies demonstrated that radon induces different types of genetic and cytogenetic damage that is likely to play a role in radon lung carcinogenesis (Al-Zoughool & Krewski, 2009). …”