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. 1999 Jul;89(7):1042–1048. doi: 10.2105/ajph.89.7.1042

Residential radon exposure and risk of lung cancer in Missouri.

M C Alavanja 1, J H Lubin 1, J A Mahaffey 1, R C Brownson 1
PMCID: PMC1508843  PMID: 10394313

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated residential radon exposure and lung cancer risk, using both standard radon dosimetry and a new radon monitoring technology that, evidence suggests, is a better measure of cumulative radon exposure. METHODS: Missouri women (aged 30 to 84 years) newly diagnosed with primary lung cancer during the period January 1, 1993, to January 31, 1994, were invited to participate in this population-based case-control study. Both indoor air radon detectors and CR-39 alpha-particle detectors (surface monitors) were used. RESULTS: When surface monitors were used, a significant trend in lung cancer odds ratios was observed for 20-year time-weighted-average radon concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: When surface monitors were used, but not when standard radon dosimetry was used, a significant lung cancer risk was found for radon concentrations at and above the action level for mitigation of houses currently used in the United States (148 Bqm-3). The risk was below the action level used in Canada (750 Bqm-3) and many European countries (200-400 Bqm-3).

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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