Radon—The Element of Risk. The Impact of Radon Exposure on Human Health

Grzywa-Celińska, Anna; Krusiński, Adam; Mazur, Jadwiga; Szewczyk, Katarzyna; Kozak, Krzysztof

doi:10.3390/toxics8040120

Cited by 47 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 101 publications

(117 reference statements)

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“…Chemical factors are considered to be an important cause of SBS. Some building materials, such as sand and gravel, contain radon associated with lung diseases and even cancer, 23 while some decorative materials contain chemical components that may induce SBS, such as formaldehyde and benzene. Many renovated houses had formaldehyde levels above guideline values, 24 which may increase the expression of adhesion molecules on human mucosal microvascular endothelial cells (HMMECs), irritating the nasal mucosa, eyes, and respiratory tract 25 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between indoor environment and lifestyles and sick building syndrome symptoms among adults in Taiyuan and Urumqi of China

Zhao

Norbäck

et al. 2022

Indoor Air

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The complex and uncertain causes of sick building syndrome (SBS) have become one of the most challenging and hot issues worldwide. Studies on the correlation between indoor environment and SBS based on local characteristics are relatively limited in China. We studied typical SBS risk factors related to the indoor environment and lifestyle in two northern Chinese cities. The study population was drawn from parents of pre‐school children in randomized daycare centers in Taiyuan, Shanxi, and Urumqi, Xinjiang, China (N = 6838). Data on SBS and indoor environment were obtained from cross‐sectional questionnaires. Odds ratios (OR) were estimated by multilevel logistic regression and adjusted using gender, atopy, own smoking, home size, and dampness index. Results showed that location, homeownership, year of construction completion, changes in the indoor environment (new furniture and decorations), and changes in indoor air (smoking, burning mosquito repellent and incense, cooking fuels including electricity, natural gas, coal, and wood) might contribute to different levels of SBS in Chinese adults, including eye, nasal, throat, dermal symptoms, and headache and tiredness. The results of the subgroup analysis suggest city and gender differences in susceptibility. Daily cleaning, window opening, and improved ventilation effectively improved SBS. People should improve their indoor environment and lifestyles based on sensitivity factors, gender, and geographic characteristics to reduce SBS risks.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Associations between indoor environment and lifestyles and sick building syndrome symptoms among adults in Taiyuan and Urumqi of China

Zhao

Norbäck

et al. 2022

Indoor Air

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“…In reality, sometimes large differences within the same region or in two adjoining buildings can be observed. Experimental results attest that Radon distribution is presented as a discrete case, hence the need to carry out measurements in each building [38].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 87%

Designing an Indoor Radon Risk Exposure Indicator (IRREI): An Evaluation Tool for Risk Management and Communication in the IoT Age

Lopes

Nunes

Curado

2021

IJERPH

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The explosive data growth in the current information age requires consistent new methodologies harmonized with the new IoT era for data analysis in a space–time context. Moreover, intuitive data visualization is a central feature in exploring, interpreting, and extracting specific insights for subsequent numerical data representation. This integrated process is normally based on the definition of relevant metrics and specific performance indicators, both computed upon continuous real-time data, considering the specificities of a particular application case for data validation. This article presents an IoT-oriented evaluation tool for Radon Risk Management (RRM), based on the design of a simple and intuitive Indoor Radon Risk Exposure Indicator (IRREI), specifically tailored to be used as a decision-making aid tool for building owners, building designers, and buildings managers, or simply as an alert flag for the problem awareness of ordinary citizens. The proposed methodology was designed for graphic representation aligned with the requirements of the current IoT age, i.e., the methodology is robust enough for continuous data collection with specific Spatio-temporal attributes and, therefore, a set of adequate Radon risk-related metrics can be extracted and proposed. Metrics are summarized considering the application case, taken as a case study for data validation, by including relevant variables to frame the study, such as the regulatory International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) dosimetric limits, building occupancy (spatial dimension), and occupants’ exposure periods (temporal dimension). This work has the following main contributions: (1) providing a historical perspective regarding RRM indicator evolution along time; (2) outlining both the formulation and the validation of the proposed IRREI indicator; (3) implementing an IoT-oriented methodology for an RRM indicator; and (4) a discussion on Radon risk public perception, undertaken based on the results obtained after assessment of the IRREI indicator by applying a screening questionnaire with a total of 873 valid answers.

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“…Research has shown the compound of radon, among others with p53 mutations, increased expression of the KRAS oncogene and down-regulation let-7 microRNA. A slightly increased frequency of ALK gene rearrangements has also been reported in patients exposed to radon [ 8 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Apart from that, there is a regulation concerning the content of radium (Ra-226) in building materials, which is a direct predecessor of gaseous radon Rn-222. Additionally, there are individual possibilities of reducing the exposure to this element, mainly through an appropriate ventilation of houses [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Radon is therefore another environmental risk factor for lung cancer, and its concentration in the vicinity of humans can be modified by appropriate behavior or lifestyle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Residential Radon Exposure in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer in Lublin Region, Poland

Grzywa-Celińska

Chmielewska

Krusiński

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Exposure to radon is the second most common factor causing lung cancer in smokers and the first among non-smokers. We aimed to measure the impact of the radon exposure on patients with different histological types of advanced lung cancer. The measurement of radon exposure was performed in 102 patients with lung cancer in stage 3B or higher (Poland). There were 78.4% of patients with non-small cell carcinoma and 21.6% of patients with small cell carcinoma. One month radon exposure measurement was performed with trace detectors in order to control whether high radon concentrations (>800 Bq/m3) were found in the homes of patients with cancer diagnosed. Results of the determinations were then compared with the representation of the most common types of lung cancer in the study population. In the analyzed group, the average concentration of radon during the exposure of the detector in the residential premises of the respondents accounted for 69.0 Bq/m3 [37.0–117.0] and had no statistically significant effect on the type of lung cancer developed in patients. The lack of statistical significance may result from the small study group and the accompanying exposure to other harmful components. As the incidence of lung adenocarcinoma is increasing and exposure to tobacco smoke is decreasing, the search for other modifiable causes of lung cancer should be the task in the future.

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Radon—The Element of Risk. The Impact of Radon Exposure on Human Health

Cited by 47 publications

References 101 publications

Associations between indoor environment and lifestyles and sick building syndrome symptoms among adults in Taiyuan and Urumqi of China

Associations between indoor environment and lifestyles and sick building syndrome symptoms among adults in Taiyuan and Urumqi of China

Designing an Indoor Radon Risk Exposure Indicator (IRREI): An Evaluation Tool for Risk Management and Communication in the IoT Age

Residential Radon Exposure in Patients with Advanced Lung Cancer in Lublin Region, Poland

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