Published April 1, 1986 | Version v1
Journal article

Radon

Creators

Description

Lung cancer among miners was recognized in the 16th century. In the early 1950s an unusually large number of lung cancer cases were diagnosed in two fluorspar mines in St. Lawrence, Newfoundland. A study of this group led to the calculation of about 6 excess lung cancer deaths due to radon per WLM (working level month) per million person years. This model assumes a 10-year induction period and a linear dose-response relation. Other studies in Saskatchewan, in Sweden, and by UNSCEAR are quoted. Recently, energy conservation has reduced ventilation in some Canadian dwellings, leading to elevated radon concentrations. The entry and behaviour of radon in homes is discussed. A correlation between radon in homes and lung cancer has neither been proved or disproved

Additional details

Additional titles

Subtitle (English)
The uninvited guest

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Can. Med. Assoc. J.
Journal Volume
134
Journal Issue
7
Series
Can. Med. Assoc. J.
Journal Page Range
713-714
ISSN
0008-4409
CODEN
CMAJA