Radon daughter exposure in dwellings and lung cancer

Some epidemiological studies have suggested a relationship between the concentration of decay products from radon, i.e. radon daughter exposure, in dwellings and lung cancer. Further experiences made from radon measurements have indicated that both building material and particularly the radioactivity in the ground is of importance for the leakage of radon into the houses. A survey is now ongoing in 15 municipalities with alum shale deposits, and in one area a casereferent evaluation has been made, considering building materials, ground conditions and smoking habits. The size of the study is small, but again the results suggest that a risk is at hand and also a multiplicative effect from smoking and radon daughter exposure. About 30 % of the lung cancers might be attributable to elevated and potentially avoidable exposure to radon and radon daughters. (Author)