Abstract
PurposeResidential exposure to radon is considered to be the second cause of lung cancer after smoking. The purpose of this study was to estimate the number of lung cancer cases prevented from reducing radon exposure in Swedish dwellings.MethodsMeasurements of indoor radon are available from national studies in 1990 and 2008 with 8992 and 1819 dwellings, considered representative of all Swedish dwellings. These data were used to estimate the distribution of radon in Swedish dwellings. Lung cancer risk was assumed to increase by 16 % per 100 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3) indoor air radon. Estimates of future and saved cases of lung cancer were performed at both constant and changed lung cancer incidence rates over time.ResultsThe arithmetic mean concentration of radon was 113 Bq/m3 in 1990 and 90 Bq/m3 in 2008. Approximately 8 % of the population lived in houses with >200 Bq/m3. The estimated current number of lung cancer cases attributable to previous indoor radon exposure was 591 per year, and the number of future cases attributable to current exposure was 473. If radon levels above 100 Bq/m3 are lowered to 100 Bq/m3, 183 cases will be prevented. If levels >200 Bq/m3 are lowered to 140 Bq/m3 (mean in the present stratum 100–200 Bq/m3), 131 cases per year will be prevented. ConclusionsAlthough estimates are somewhat uncertain, 35–40 % of the radon attributed lung cancer cases can be prevented if radon levels >100 Bq/m3 are lowered to 100 Bq/m3.
Highlights
The radioactive gas radon is a decay product of uranium normally found in rock and soils
If radon levels above 100 Bq/m3 are lowered to 100 Bq/m3, 183 cases will be prevented
Barregard Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Box 414, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden e-mail: gosta.axelsson@amm.gu.se prevented if radon levels [100 Bq/m3 are lowered to 100 Bq/m3
Summary
The radioactive gas radon is a decay product of uranium normally found in rock and soils. It is the most important natural source of human exposure to ionizing radiation. The short-lived daughters of radon release ionizing radiation during radioactive decay and alpha particles emitted are capable of damaging DNA and increasing the risk of cancer. Studies of underground miners occupationally exposed to radon have demonstrated an increased risk of lung cancer among both smokers and nonsmokers [1,2,3], and the risk of exposure of miners has been found to be consistent with the risk of indoor exposure [4,5,6]. Residential exposure to radon is considered to be the second most important cause of lung cancer after smoking [11]
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