Lung cancer risks due to radon inhalation

The earliest observation of excessive lung cancer due to exposure to radioactive ores occurred in the Schneeburg mining areas. It is now well accepted that the hazard of lung cancer to such miners is attributable to exposure to alpha-emitting radon daughters. The author reviewed five epidemiological surveys of lung cancer risk involving underground mine workers as well as other related papers. Ideally, one would like to be able to separate lung cancers attributable to radon daughters as opposed to cigarette smoking. In relation to this, epidemiological findings on the role of cigarette-smoking among underground mines were summarized. Due to the limited sources of information, extrapolation from the occupational exposure experience was taken to estimate the effect of exposure to radon daughters in the general environmental situation. The application of two lifetime risk models (Harley's model and a relative risk model used in ICRP Pub.50) was reviewed. The author concluded that the effect of environmental exposure to radon daughters on lung cancer risk is difficult to ascertain through epidemiological surveys due to the difference in relative importance of confounding factors such as smoking in the general population and the occupationally exposed groups. (author)