Radon exposure and basal cell carcinoma skin disease in human body: a correlation study report

High level of radioactive gas radon in environment results in causing several detrimental effects on human 's health. Such health effects are mainly induced from the results of the exposure of human body to the emitted alpha-particles radiation from the radon and its alpha-decay products. The alpha-emitters of radon family when they are deposited in the epidermis of human skin, the emitted alpha radiations from these alpha-emitters may be able sometimes to reach the basal cells beneath the epidermis (especially, thin skin) and may deliver the radiation doses to the cells, which may lead to develop certain skin diseases. Present study reports a correlation between the radon exposure and the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) skin disease in humans. Relevant information and data have been obtained from some published literatures that pertinent to radon exposure and skin diseases. Reports from literatures review indicate an association of the skin exposure with the radon and its short-lived alpha-decay products, particularly, ²¹⁸Po, ²¹⁴Po and ²¹⁰Po, in ambient air. It has been reported in some literatures that long-term domestic (residential) radon exposure is strongly contributed to develop BCC. Some occupational studies for miners reported that the BCC skin cancers among the uranium miners are positively associated to radon in mines. A large number of ecological and cohort studies reported a significant relationship of the high level of environmental radon exposure with the BCC. The correlation study suggests that the radon exposure is a risk factor for inducing BCC type skin disease, thereby; the present study demands that the BCC disease should be considered as one of the radon-induced diseases. More researches are required for establishing strong evidence of correlation between radon exposure and induced BCC skin disease in humans. (author)