Radon

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the biological risks of radon exposure, the most serious being lung cancer. The paper traces the history of concern over radon, including residential radon exposure. Several research studies, including those where underground miners were the subjects, validate the hazards of radon. The paper concludes by stating that researchers have placed increasing attention towards models that may provide accurate estimations of health risks of radon.

From the Paper:

" Since radon is a widely known and established carcinogen, researchers have found it important to investigate the biological risks associated with exposure. Catelinois et al. (2006) sought to assess the lung cancer risk in France due to the inhalation of radon. In particular, these researchers examined exposure-response results of both studies involving miners as well as case control studies, and furthermore investigated the interaction between radon and tobacco. The results of this study indicated that the estimated number of deaths due to lung cancer that could be attributed to radon exposure ranged from 543 to 3108 with a 90% uncertainty level. The specific number of deaths was dependent on the particular model being adhered to. From this number, the researchers suggested that 2.2% to 12.4% of these lung cancer deaths may actually be due to indoor radon exposure (Catelinois et al. 2006)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Breier, R., Bohm, R., Kopani, M. "Simulation of radiation damage to lung cells after exposure to radon decay products." Neuro Endocrinology Letters 27.2 (2006): 86-90.
• Catelinois, O., Rogel, A., Laurier, D., Billon, S., Hemon, D., Verger, P., Tirmarche, M. "Lung cancer attributable to indoor radon exposure in France: impact of the risk models and uncertainty analysis." Environmental Health Perspectives 114.9 (2006): 1361-6.
• Lubin, J.H., Boice, J.D. Jr. "Lung cancer risk from residential radon: meta analysis of eight epidemiologic studies." Journal of the National Cancer Institute 89.1 (1997): 49-57.
• Samet, J.M. "Residential radon and lung cancer: end of the story?" Journal of Toxicology and Health. Part A 69.7 (2006): 527-31

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