Indoor radon and lung cancer. Estimating the risks

Journal Article · Tue Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1991 · Western Journal of Medicine; (United States)

OSTI ID:5530599

Samet, J M ^[1]

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1. Department of Medicine, University of New Mexico Medical Center, Albuquerque (United States)

Radon is ubiquitous in indoor environments. Epidemiologic studies of underground miners with exposure to radon and experimental evidence have established that radon causes lung cancer. The finding that this naturally occurring carcinogen is present in the air of homes and other buildings has raised concern about the lung cancer risk to the general population from radon. I review current approaches for assessing the risk of indoor radon, emphasizing the extrapolation of the risks for miners to the general population. Although uncertainties are inherent in this risk assessment, the present evidence warrants identifying homes that have unacceptably high concentrations.23 references.

• OSTI ID: 5530599
• Journal Information: Western Journal of Medicine; (United States), Journal Name: Western Journal of Medicine; (United States) Vol. 156:1; ISSN WJMDA; ISSN 0093-0415
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560161* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AIR POLLUTION
BODY
CARCINOGENESIS
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
LUNGS
NEOPLASMS
NONMETALS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
POLLUTION
RADIOINDUCTION
RADON
RARE GASES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RISK ASSESSMENT