The health risk of radon
- Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC (United States). Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
Although radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, second only to cigarette smoking, many members of the public are not aware that radon is one of the most serious environmental cancer risks in the US. Based on extensive data from epidemiological studies of underground miners, radon has been classified as a known human carcinogen. In contrast to most pollutants, the assessment of human risk from radon is based on human occupational exposure data rather than animal data. That radon causes lung cancer has been well established by the scientific community. More is known about radon than most other cancer causing environmental carcinogens. While there are some uncertainties involved when estimating radon risk to the public, it is important to recognize that the risk information is based on human data and that the uncertainties have been addressed in the risk assessment. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that the number of annual US lung cancer deaths due to residential radon exposures is approximately 14,000 with an uncertainty range of 7,000 to 30,000. The abundant information on radon health risks that supports EPA`s risk assessment indicates that recommendations for public action by the federal government and other public health organizations constitute prudent public policy.
- OSTI ID:
- 116297
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Environmental Health, Vol. 58, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Oct 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
A creeping suspicion about radon
Mineral dusts and radon in uranium mines