Health Effects & Epidemiological Studies
A Bit of History
Lung disease was observed in European miners by Gerogius Agricola in 1556 in his book on mining, De re Metallica, which discussed the various inhalation hazards faced by miners. However, it was not until 1879 that lung cancer was identified as a cause of death in miners through autopsy studies by Härtling and Hesse.
Since the time of its discovery in 1900, radon was of high interest to the scientific world, and it was not long before it was suspected as a source of lung disease in miners. In the 1950s, this suspicion was supported by early epidemiological and animal studies.
How does radon gas cause lung cancer?
Radon gas emits alpha particle radiation when it undergoes radioactive decay. Outside of the body, alpha particles are not generally a health concern, as their high mass causes them to move relatively slowly through air, making them unable to penetrate the skin. However, inside of the body, their high mass makes alpha particles an exceptional health hazard, with the ability to penetrate and irradiate softer internal cells. Alpha particles are positively charged, causing them to attract and cling to suspended dust particles in air. When attached to dust, alpha particles can become lodged in the lung after inhalation, increasing radiation dose. In the homes of smokers, this is more particulate matter in the air for radon to cling to, increasing risk of exposure.
Major Reports & Studies
The connection between radon and lung cancer was not formally recognized until 1988, following the publication of a National Academy of Sciences Commission on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation report titled Health Risks of Radon and Other Internally Deposited Alpha-Emitters. This report, otherwise known as BEIR IV, examined 11 studies of underground miners and concluded that miner data can be used to analyze residential risks, and that smoking multiplies the health effects of radon. Based on the weight of this report, the International Agency for Research on Cancer declared radon as a known human carcinogen. A decade later, BEIR VI: Health Effects of Exposure to Radon examined 11 studies of underground miners, concluding that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
In the years following BEIR VI, the World Health Organization has been the dominating voice in radon education and protection. In its 2009 handbook on radon, WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon a Public Health Perspective, 3 major pooled studies are discussed:, 2 Chinese studies, 13 European studies, and 7 North American studies, concluding that the radon problem is real, and advocating for globally reduced action levels of 2.7 pCi/L.
Lung disease was observed in European miners by Gerogius Agricola in 1556 in his book on mining, De re Metallica, which discussed the various inhalation hazards faced by miners. However, it was not until 1879 that lung cancer was identified as a cause of death in miners through autopsy studies by Härtling and Hesse.
Since the time of its discovery in 1900, radon was of high interest to the scientific world, and it was not long before it was suspected as a source of lung disease in miners. In the 1950s, this suspicion was supported by early epidemiological and animal studies.
How does radon gas cause lung cancer?
Radon gas emits alpha particle radiation when it undergoes radioactive decay. Outside of the body, alpha particles are not generally a health concern, as their high mass causes them to move relatively slowly through air, making them unable to penetrate the skin. However, inside of the body, their high mass makes alpha particles an exceptional health hazard, with the ability to penetrate and irradiate softer internal cells. Alpha particles are positively charged, causing them to attract and cling to suspended dust particles in air. When attached to dust, alpha particles can become lodged in the lung after inhalation, increasing radiation dose. In the homes of smokers, this is more particulate matter in the air for radon to cling to, increasing risk of exposure.
Major Reports & Studies
The connection between radon and lung cancer was not formally recognized until 1988, following the publication of a National Academy of Sciences Commission on the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation report titled Health Risks of Radon and Other Internally Deposited Alpha-Emitters. This report, otherwise known as BEIR IV, examined 11 studies of underground miners and concluded that miner data can be used to analyze residential risks, and that smoking multiplies the health effects of radon. Based on the weight of this report, the International Agency for Research on Cancer declared radon as a known human carcinogen. A decade later, BEIR VI: Health Effects of Exposure to Radon examined 11 studies of underground miners, concluding that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
In the years following BEIR VI, the World Health Organization has been the dominating voice in radon education and protection. In its 2009 handbook on radon, WHO Handbook on Indoor Radon a Public Health Perspective, 3 major pooled studies are discussed:, 2 Chinese studies, 13 European studies, and 7 North American studies, concluding that the radon problem is real, and advocating for globally reduced action levels of 2.7 pCi/L.