Exposure to residential radon and lung cancer in Spain: a population-based case-control study.

Abstract

Although high radon concentrations have been linked to increased risk of lung cancer by both experimental studies and investigations of underground miners, epidemiologic studies of residential radon exposure display inconsistencies. The authors therefore decided to conduct a population-based case-control study in northwest Spain to determine the risk of lung cancer associated with exposure to residential radon. The study covered a total of 163 subjects with incident lung cancer and a population sample of 241 cancer-free subjects since 1992-1994. Odds ratios for radon were estimated using logistic regression adjusted for sex, age, lifetime tobacco use, family history, and habitat. The adjusted odds ratios for the second, third, and fourth quartiles of radon (breakpoints: 37.0, 55.2, and 148.0 Bq/m(3)) were 2.73 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12, 5.48), 2.48 (95% CI: 1.29, 6.79), and 2.96 (95% CI: 1.29, 6.79), respectively. An additive synergic effect between radon and tobacco was found. The results from this study suggest that, even at concentrations far below official guideline levels, radon may lead to a 2.5-fold rise in the risk of lung cancer. Furthermore, the synergy found between smoking and radon may prove useful when it comes to drafting public health recommendations.

• Authors: Juan Miguel Barros-Dios, María Amparo Barreiro, Alberto Ruano-Ravina, Adolfo Figueiras
• Journal: American journal of epidemiology (Am J Epidemiol) Vol. 156 Issue 6 Pg. 548-55 (Sep 15 2002) ISSN: 0002-9262 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12226002 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Air Pollutants, Radioactive
• Carcinogens, Environmental
• Radon

Topics

• Aged
• Air Pollutants, Radioactive (adverse effects)
• Air Pollution, Indoor (adverse effects)
• Carcinogens, Environmental (adverse effects)
• Case-Control Studies
• Environmental Exposure
• Female
• Humans
• Lung Neoplasms (epidemiology, etiology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Odds Ratio
• Radon (adverse effects)
• Regression Analysis
• Risk Assessment
• Smoking (adverse effects)
• Spain (epidemiology)