Is radon a causative factor in inducing myeloid leukemia and other cancers in adults and children?
- Univ. of Bristol (United Kingdom)
In this paper we review our recent evidence linking domestic radon exposure with the incidence of certain cancers other than those in the lung. In the cases of leukemia and cancers of the skin, the review is supported by summarizing new calculations of the radon-derived dose to the target tissues. These show, for instance, that at the United Kingdom radon action limit of 200 Bq m{sup {minus}3}, the dose to red bone marrow from radon exceeds all other sources of background radiation. Data on the plate out of radon daughters suggests that doses to the basal layer beneath the skin can be sizable. Recent epidemiological data have shown a correlation of domestic radon exposure with several conditions, including leukemia in adults and children, and kidney cancer, melanoma, and prostatic cancer in adults. For leukemia, both acute myeloid (AML) and acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) are associated with radon exposure; the latter is most often an effect in children. The associations appear both in international data and within certain countries, notably the United Kingdom. These observations, if assumed to be indicative of cause and effect, appear to contradict conventional risk estimates. However, the latter are based on a number of assumptions. In particular, there is indirect evidence that at low doses the RBE for the alpha particle is much higher than the currently recommended quality factor of 20. There is also evidence that a simple scaling of risk from acute to chronic exposures based on total dose may not be appropriate.
- OSTI ID:
- 44918
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-901010-Pt.2; TRN: 95:003335-0023
- 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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