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Radon exposure increases lung cancer risk by 18%
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Exposure to radioactive radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. EPA estimates that radon is responsible for about 21,000 deaths each year. In fact, radon is the sixth leading cause of cancer death in the U.S.
Dr. Bill Field, a leading radon scientist, discussed his latest research at the Health Physics Society conference this week. Dr. Field found that just 3 pCi/L of radon gas in a home increased lung cancer risk by 18%. That number is higher than previously estimates.
For the past two decades, EPA has recommended that homes be mitigated to reduce radon concentration below 4 picoCuries/liter of air (pCi/L). That recommendation may not be adequately protective.
Dr. Field stated:
It is estimated that one-third of lung cancer deaths caused by residential radon could be prevented if steps were taken to mitigate radon levels in homes above the current EPA action level of 4 pCi/L. If the EPA action level was reduced to 2 pCi/L and all homes in the U.S. were in compliance with this standard (guideline), up to 50 percent of radon-attributable lung cancer deaths could be prevented.
However, lung cancer is not the whole story. Dr. Field also reported that radon exposure increases stomach, liver, and skin cancers, as well as leukemia.
Research indicates there may be a genetic link between radon and lung cancer risk. Dr. Field explained that individuals missing the GSTM1 gene have a three-fold greater risk of radon induced lung cancer. The GSTM1 gene regulates the ability to control damage from free radicals. Individuals without the gene are less able to compensate for free-radical damage to DNA.
Although Dr. Field’s data indicate the lung cancer risk from radon is somewhat greater than previously thought, the advice remains the same. Both EPA and Dr. Field recommend testing all homes for radon. EPA recommends reducing radon below 4 pCi/L. Dr. Field would recommend reducing radon below 2 pCi/L.
Dr. Field followed his own advice. Prior to conducting his Iowa Radon Study, he did not believe that residential radon was a particularly important hazard. However, his own data changed his mind. Dr. Field tested his home for radon, and he mitigated that home to reduce radon concentration as much as possible.
Sketch from EPA.
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