A case-control study of radon and lung cancer among New Jersey women
- New Jersey State Dept. of Health, Trenton, NJ (United States)
Interviews were previously conducted for 994 women with incident lung cancer and 995 population-based controls. Smoking, occupational, dietary, and residential data were collected. This study was initially intended to examine the radon/lung cancer association in 433 cases and 402 controls who lived in a single {open_quotes}index residence{close_quotes} for 10+ y from 10 to 30 y prior to diagnosis or selection (Phase I). Using a revised residence criterion (Phase II), the substudy later was expanded to include 480 cases and 442 controls who lived in one or more {open_quotes}index residences{close_quotes} for a total of 9+ y from 5 to 30 y prior to diagnosis or selection. Radon concentrations were measured by year-long alpha-track detectors in living areas of the index residences (76%) or were estimated from basement alpha tracks (5%), from 4-day charcoal canisters (8%), or for apartments above the second floor (11%). Based on the combined Phase I and II data, adjusted odds ratios were 1.0, 1.2, 1.1, and 8.7 for concentrations of <37, 37-73, 74-147, and 148-418 Bq m{sup {minus}3}, respectively, showing a significant trend (p = 0.04). Lung cancer risks also showed a similar trend (p = 0.06) with increasing estimated cumulative radon exposure; the relative risk coefficient, 0.039% per Bq m{sup {minus}3} equilibrium equivalent radon per annum (EERa) (3.6% WLM{sup {minus}1}), was consistent with the range of 0.005-0.043% per Bq m{sup {minus}3} EERa (0.5-4.0% WLM{sup {minus}1}) generally reported for underground miners. The results of this study must be interpreted cautiously because of the small numbers of subjects with high radon exposures and the possibilities of selection biases. However, the study suggests that the risk of radon-related lung cancer in miners can be applied to the residential setting.
- OSTI ID:
- 44916
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-901010-Pt.2; CNN: Contract NO1-CP-61031; Grant RO1-CA-37744; TRN: 95:003335-0021
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 29. Hanford symposium on health and the environment: indoor radon and lung cancer--reality or myth, Richland, WA (United States), 15-19 Oct 1990; Other Information: PBD: 1992; Related Information: Is Part Of Indoor radon and lung cancer: Reality or myth? Part 2; Cross, F.T. [ed.]; PB: 599 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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