Tests of the linear-no threshold theory for lung cancer induced by exposure to radon

Journal Article · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Environmental Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1006/enrs.1994.1007· OSTI ID:7284629

Cohen, B L ^[1]; Colditz, G A ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
2. Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA (United States)

The linear theory used to extrapolate the cancer risk of radon exposure from high levels where direct data are available to low levels encountered in homes is tested by comparing lung cancer rates, m, and average radon levels, r, in numerous U.S. states and counties. It is shown that most problems normally associated with ecological studies do not apply here. The data shown a very strong tendency for lung cancer rates, corrected for smoking prevalence (S), to decrease with increasing r, in sharp contrast to the opposite behavior predicted by the theory. It is shown that even a perfect negative r-S correlation cannot explain this discrepancy. Actual r-S correlations are only a few percent. Several other possible explanations for the discrepancy are explored, but none reduce it by more than about 25%. 39 refs., 2 figs., 6 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 7284629
• Journal Information: Environmental Research; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Research; (United States) Vol. 64:1; ISSN ENVRAL; ISSN 0013-9351
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900 -- Pathology
560151* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Man
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
CORRELATIONS
DISEASE INCIDENCE
DISEASES
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
FLUIDS
GASES
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEOPLASMS
NONMETALS
RADON
RARE GASES
RISK ASSESSMENT