Environmental radon and lung cancer in Florida

Conference · · Archives of Environmental Health; (USA)

OSTI ID:5768522

Stockwell, H G; Noss, C I; Armstrong, A W; Candelora, E C; Pinkham, P A ^[1]

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1. Univ. of South Florida, Tampa (USA)

The health consequences of long-term environmental exposure to low concentrations of radon have not been thoroughly studied. Epidemiologic studies suggested increased lung cancer risk among residents of phosphate mining areas in Florida. Data from a state-wide survey was used to determine if individuals who experience high indoor radon levels have an increased risk of lung cancer after adjustment for age, race, sex, and smoking. Residents of a three-county area with such elevated levels experienced a 25% increase in risk. This excess risk was highest in men and appeared increased for all cell types. The elevated risk of lung cancer among males increased slightly when additional years were included. Male residents of the three county area experienced a 50% elevation in lung cancer risk with an O.R. of 1.5 (1.3-1.7), whereas no increased risk was observed among females with an O.R. 1.0 (0.8-1.1). The highest elevation in risk among males was observed for squamous cell carcinomas at 1.8 (1.5-2.1) and small cell carcinomas at 1.7 (1.3-2.1). Among women, only the risk of small cell carcinoma was elevated, but the risk was not statistically significant at 1.4 (1.0-1.7).

• OSTI ID: 5768522
• Report Number(s): CONF-890937--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Archives of Environmental Health; (USA) Journal Volume: 45:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900* -- Pathology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BODY
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
EPIDEMIOLOGY
FEDERAL REGION IV
FLORIDA
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LUNGS
MINERALS
MINING
NEOPLASMS
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANS
PHOSPHATE MINERALS
RADON
RARE GASES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
USA