Radon and lung cancer.
Radon, an inert gas released during the decay of uranium-238, is ubiquitous in indoor and outdoor air and contaminates many underground mines. Extensive epidemiologic evidence from studies of underground miners and complementary animal data have documented that radon causes lung cancer in smokers and nonsmokers. Radon must also be considered a potentially important cause of lung cancer for the general population, which is exposed through contamination of indoor air by radon from soil, water, and building materials. This review describes radon's sources, levels in U.S. homes, dosimetry, the epidemiologic evidence from studies of miners and the general population, and the principal, recent risk assessments.
Samet
J M
JM
University of New Mexico, New Mexico Tumor Registry, Albuquerque 87131.
D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008906:Mining; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011848:Radioactive Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D011886:Radon / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis*; D012306:Risk; D014481:United States
D011848:Radioactive Pollutants; D011886:Radon