radon concentrations and an increased risk for lung cancer . Given that it is imperceptible by color , taste , or smell , and causes no obvious symptoms of irritation or exposure , measuring radon levels is the only way to know if there exists a high level of exposure .”
Incidence of Lung Cancer Due to Exposure to Radon The incidence of lung cancer in South Africa as a result of Radon exposure is not known , however , a recent study in Korea indicates the importance of radon as a cause of lung cancer and that mitigating radon exposure lessens the incidence of lung cancer due to radon exposure .
Lorenzo-Gonzalez , M ., Ruano-Ravina , A ., Torres-Duran , M ., Kelsey , K . T ., Provencio , M ., Parente-Lamelas , I ., Piñeiro-Lamas , M ., Varela-Lema , L ., Perez-Rios , M ., Fernandez-Villar , A . & Barros-Dios , J . M . 2020 . Background : Through a pooled case-control study design , we have assessed the relationship between residential radon exposure and lung cancer risk . Other objectives of the study were to evaluate the different risk estimates for the non-small cell lung cancer histological types and to assess the effect modification of the radon exposure on lung cancer risk by tobacco consumption . Methods : We collected individual data from various case-control studies performed in northwest Spain that investigated residential radon and lung cancer . Cases had a confirmed anatomopathological diagnosis of primary lung cancer and controls were selected because they were undergoing ambulatory evaluation or surgical procedures that were unrelated to tobacco use . Residential radon was measured using alpha track detectors . Results were analyzed using logistic regression . Results : 3704 participants were enrrolled , 1842 cases and 1862 controls . Data show that lung cancer risk increases with radon exposure , finding a significant association of radon exposure with lung cancer at radon exposures above 50 Bq / m 3 . The estimated adjusted OR for individuals exposed to concentrations > 200 Bq / m 3 was 2.06 ( 95 % CI : 1.61-2.64 ) compared with those exposed to ≤50 Bq / m 3 . Within a smoking category , lung cancer risk increases markedly as radon concentration increases , reaching an OR of 29.3 ( 95 % CI : 15.4- 55.7 ) for heavy smokers exposed to more than 200 Bq / m . 3 CONCLUSIONS : This study confirms that residential radon exposure is a risk factor for lung cancer well below action levels established by international organizations . As expected , there is also an effect modification between radon exposure and tobacco consumption .
Kim , S . H ., Koh , S . B ., Lee , C . M ., Kim , C . & Kang , D R . 2018 . PURPOSE : Exposure to indoor radon is associated with lung cancer . This study aimed to estimate the number of lung cancer deaths attributable to indoor radon exposure , its burden of disease , and the effects of radon mitigation in Korea in 2010 . MATERIALS AND METHODS : Lung cancer deaths due to indoor radon exposure were estimated using exposure-response relations reported in previous studies . Years of life lost ( YLLs ) were calculated to quantify disease burden in relation to premature deaths . Mitigation effects were examined under scenarios in which all homes with indoor radon concentrations above a specified level were remediated below the level . RESULTS : The estimated number of lung cancer deaths attributable to indoor radon exposure ranged from 1946 to 3863 , accounting for 12.5-24.7 % of 15623 total lung cancer deaths in 2010 . YLLs due to premature deaths were estimated at 43140-101855 years ( 90-212 years per 100000 population ). If all homes with radon levels above 148 Bq / m ³ are effectively remediated , 502-732 lung cancer deaths and 10972-18479 YLLs could be prevented . CONCLUSION : These findings suggest that indoor radon exposure contributes considerably to lung cancer , and that reducing indoor radon concentration would be helpful for decreasing the disease burden from lung cancer deaths .
Researched and Authored by Prof Michael C Herbst [ D Litt et Phil ( Health Studies ); D N Ed ; M Art et Scien ; B A Cur ; Dip Occupational Health ; Dip Genetic Counselling ; Dip Audiometry and Noise Measurement ; Diagnostic Radiographer ; Medical Ethicist ] Approved by Ms Elize Joubert , Chief Executive Officer [ BA Social Work ( cum laude ); MA Social Work ] July 2021 Page 2