Abstract
Although Radon (Rn) is a known agent for lung cancer, the link between Rn exposure and other non-pulmonary neoplasms remains unclear. The aim of this review is to investigate the role of Rn in the development of tumors other than lung cancer in both occupational and environmental exposure. Particularly, our attention has been focused on leukemia and tumors related to brain and central nervous system (CNS), skin, stomach, kidney, and breast. The epidemiologic literature has been systematically reviewed focusing on workers, general population, and pediatric population. A weak increase in leukemia risk due to Rn exposure was found, but bias and confounding factors cannot be ruled out. The results of studies conducted on stomach cancer are mixed, although with some prevalence for a positive association with Rn exposure. In the case of brain and CNS cancer and skin cancer, results are inconclusive, while no association was found for breast and kidney cancers. Overall, the available evidence does not support a conclusion that a causal association has been established between Rn exposure and the risk of other non-pulmonary neoplasms mainly due to the limited number and heterogeneity of existing studies. To confirm this result, a statistical analysis should be necessary, even if it is now not applicable for the few studies available.
Highlights
Radon (Rn), a colorless and odorless radioactive noble gas, originated from the decay of Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th), is found in rocks and soil
The study included 64,209 men employed in the mines for 6.4 years on average, receiving average cumulative exposures of 155 working-level months (WLM), and were followed for 16.9 years on average
In a cohort of iron miners from northern Sweden occupationally exposed to elevated levels of Rn, the mortality was increased for all cancers other than lung cancer, but it was not significantly associated with cumulative exposure to Rn [41]
Summary
Radon (Rn), a colorless and odorless radioactive noble gas, originated from the decay of Uranium (U) and Thorium (Th), is found in rocks and soil. 80% of the Rn in atmosphere, water contributes to 19%, and other sources for only 1% [1]. Rn concentration in air depends on the intensity of the source and on dilution factors, both strongly influenced by weather conditions, such as humidity, atmospheric pressure, and wind conditions. Three are the main naturally occurring isotopes of Rn: Rn ( known as thoron); Rn ( called actinon); and 222 Rn, arising from the decay of 235 U, 232 Th, and 238 U, respectively (Figure 1) [3]. The amount of 219 Rn and 220 Rn in air pollution is small due to their short half-life (3.96 s, and 55.6 s, respectively) that limits their diffusion in the atmosphere before decay. The scarcity of 235 U makes the role of 219 Rn negligible
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