Contribution of radon and radon daughters to respiratory cancer

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1289/ehp.867017· OSTI ID:6517470

Harley, N; Samet, J M; Cross, F T; Hess, T; Muller, J; Thomas, D

This article reviews studies on the contribution of radon and radon daughters to respiratory cancer and proposes recommendations for further research, particularly a national radon survey. The steady-state outdoor radon concentration averages 200 pCi/m3, and indoor levels are about 4 times higher. The primary source of radon in homes is the underlying soil; entry depends on multiple variables and reduced ventilation for energy conservation increases indoor radon levels. Occupational exposures are expressed in units of radon daughter potential energy concentration or working level (WL). Cumulative exposure is the product of the working level and the time exposed. The unit for cumulative exposure is the working level month (WLM). The occupational standard for radon exposure is 4 WLM/year, and 2 WLM/year has been suggested as a guideline for remedial action in homes. Epidemiologic studies show that miners with cumulative radon daughter exposures somewhat below 100 WLM have excess lung cancer mortality. Some 3% to 8% of miners studied have developed lung cancer attributable to radon daughters. All of the underground mining studies show an increased risk of lung cancer with radon daughter exposure. All cell types of lung cancer increased with radon exposure. If radon and smoking act in a multiplicative manner, then the risk for smokers could be 10 times that for nonsmokers. The potential risk of lung cancer appears to be between 1 and 2 per 10,000/WLM, which yields a significant number of lung cancers as some 220 million persons in the United States are exposed on average to 10 to 20 WLM/lifetime.

• Research Organization: New York Univ. Medical Center, NY
• OSTI ID: 6517470
• Journal Information: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Environ. Health Perspect.; (United States); ISSN EVHPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

500300 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Radioactive Materials Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
560161* -- Radionuclide Effects
Kinetics
& Toxicology-- Man
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AEROSOLS
AIR
AIR POLLUTION
BUILDINGS
COLLOIDS
DAUGHTER PRODUCTS
DISEASES
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
EPIDEMIOLOGY
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
HOUSES
INDOOR AIR POLLUTION
ISOTOPES
MASS TRANSFER
MINERS
MONITORING
MORTALITY
NEOPLASMS
NONMETALS
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE
PERSONNEL
POLLUTION
RADIATION HAZARDS
RADIATION MONITORING
RADIONUCLIDE MIGRATION
RADON
RARE GASES
RECOMMENDATIONS
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RESIDUES
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RISK ASSESSMENT
SMOKES
SOLS
TOBACCO SMOKES