Abstract
Numbers of epidemiological studies assessing residential radon exposure and risk of lung cancer have yielded inconsistent results. We therefore performed a meta-analysis of relevant published case- control studies searched in the PubMed database through July 2011 to examine the association. The combined odds ratio (OR) were calculated using fixed- or random-effects models. Subgroup and dose-response analyses were also performed. We identified 22 case-control studies of residential radon and lung cancer risk involving 13,380 cases and 21,102 controls. The combined OR of lung cancer for the highest with the lowest exposure was 1.29 (95% CI 1.10-1.51). Dose-response analysis showed that every 100 Bq/m3 increment in residential radon exposure was associated with a significant 7% increase in lung cancer risk. Subgroup analysis displayed a more pronounced association in the studies conducted in Europe. Studies restricted to female or non-smokers demonstrated weakened associations between exposure and lung cancer. This meta- analysis provides new evidence supporting the conclusion that residential exposure to radon can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer in a dose-response manner.
Highlights
Lung cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer as well as the leading cause of cancer death globally
The risk of lung cancer increased by 7% for every 100 Bq/m3 radon increment
Compared with the previous meta-analysis (Pavia et al, 2003), the present analysis identified and included six more studies through an updated search
Summary
Lung cancer was the most commonly diagnosed cancer as well as the leading cause of cancer death globally. Results of lung cancer risk in miners were used to project lung cancer risk for general population exposed to residential radon. Such direct extrapolation from these studies is uncertain because of the major differences between working in underground conditions and living in houses (Al-zoughool and Krewski, 2009). Dose-response analysis showed that every 100 Bq/m3 increment in residential radon exposure was associated with a significant 7% increase in lung cancer risk. Conclusions: This metaanalysis provides new evidence supporting the conclusion that residential exposure to radon can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer in a dose-response manner
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