<p>Exposure to Residential Radon and COPD: A Systematic Review</p>

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between exposure to residential radon and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) by means of a systematic review. Material and Methods: A search was conducted in PubMed and OVID for papers making reference to the radon-COPD relationship. No search filters were applied, whether by date of publication, study type or sample size. All studies not written in English or Spanish were discarded. Results: A total of 174 and 57 papers were found in PubMed and OVID, respectively: of these, 13 (11 on miners and 2 on the general population) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Only four of the studies on cohorts of miners analysed COPD as a specific disease, and only one reported statistically significant results. In addition, many of these studies lacked information on tobacco use among miners. In contrast, studies conducted on the general public showed an association between mortality and hospital admissions, on the one hand, and residential radon on the other. Conclusion: There are not enough studies to provide a basis for confirming or ruling out an association between radon exposure and COPD. Nonetheless, the most recent general population studies point to evidence of a possible association. In view of the heterogeneity of available studies, it is impossible to say whether this gas may or may not affect COPD morbidity and mortality, until such a time as further studies are carried out.

Novel drug delivery systems targeting oxidative stress in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a review

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Risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in never‐smokers: A systematic review

“… 53 When it is inhaled, the solid particles into which the gas decays are retained in the lungs and irradiate alpha particles to the cells lining the lungs, bringing about molecular changes and possibly damaging DNA. In 2020, Conde‐Sampayo 54 conducted a systematic review of exposure to residential radon and COPD and reported a possible trend towards the existence of this association, though no definitive conclusion could be reached. This implies that the effect of radon on COPD is unknown.…”

Residential radon and characteristics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

“…Some studies have evaluated exposure to residential radon as a possible COPD-related risk factor. A systematic review published in 2020 reported a possible trend in this association but was unable to arrive at a definitive conclusion 30 . Other studies have evaluated its association with mortality or exacerbation-related hospital admissions.…”