Lung cancer risk at low radon exposure rates in German uranium miners

Abstract

Background:A determination of the risk of lung cancer at low levels of radon exposure is important for occupational radiation protection.Methods:The risk of death from lung cancer at low radon exposure rates was investigated in the subcohort of 26 766 German uranium miners hired in 1960 or later.Results:A clear association between lung cancer mortality (n=334 deaths) and cumulative exposure to radon in working level months (WLM) was found. The excess relative risk per WLM was 0.013 (95% confidence intervals: 0.007; 0.021).Conclusions:The present findings provide strong evidence for an increased lung cancer risk after long-term exposure to low radon exposure rates among Wismut miners. The results are compatible to those from residential radon studies and miner studies restricted to low levels.

Cancer incidence and mortality from exposure to radon progeny among Ontario uranium miners

“…A past update of this cohort with follow-up to 1977 observed an ERR per 100 WLM of 1.50 for lung cancer mortality 23. A recent study by Kreuzer et al 33 also examined the risk of lung cancer mortality from low radon exposure rates among a subcohort of miners hired in 1960 or later and observed an ERR/100 WLM of 1.30 (95% CI 0.70 to 2.10). In reviewing other studies that have examined low-dose radon exposure, Kreuzer et al observed that the ERR/100 WLM estimates from these studies ranged from 0.40 to 4.20, which is consistent with our mortality estimate of 0.66 WLM/100 WLM.…”

Genetic modifiers of radon-induced lung cancer risk: a genome-wide interaction study in former uranium miners

“…We were further forced to make some assumptions, e.g. no participant of a TRICL/ILCCO study was substantial long-term exposed to radon ( WLM < 50) However, even long-term but low-dose exposure to radon, occupational (Kreuzer et al 2015) as well as residential (Darby et al 2005), was previously associated with a small increase in lung cancer risk. Thus, the small risk of misclassifying few of the many participants of a TRICL/ILCCO study is more likely for cases than for controls.…”

Tap water as a source of indoor radon in houses

“…Additionally, research has shown that risk of lung cancer from breathing radon in with air is much larger than risk of stomach cancer from consumption of water containing radon [8][9][10][11]. Therefore, the main risk connected with radon in water comes from radon released into the air when water is used for showering and other household purposes.…”