Radon induced lung cancer and mortality

Radon is a major radiation hazard, generally believed to be the cause of a significant fraction of current lung cancer mortality. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggests that inhalation of the daughter products of indoor radon may lead to 5000 to 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States, roughly 4% to 15% of all lung cancer mortality. However, there are large uncertainties in these estimates. In this paper, the authors summarize the methods used in obtaining such estimates, the results obtained, and the uncertainties, with reference to three possible approaches: the dosimetric approach, extrapolation from miners; and population studies