RISKS FROM RADON INHALATION

摘要

Radon is estimated to represent about half the average exposure to ionizing radiation of the population. Alpha emissions from inhaled radon progeny can result in lung cancer. The first studies of miners demonstrated a linear relationship between cumulative exposure and relative risk, further ones a decreasing effect of age at exposure, time since exposure, and exposure rate. Recent Czech results confirmed these findings and demonstrated an increased risk already at low exposures -15WLM. The association of lung cancer and residential radon has not been clearly shown, partly because of much lower exposures and large uncertainties related to radon exposure in homes. In spite of this, a meta-analysis of indoor studies found a significant trend in the relative risk by exposure, which was not different from results of a large Czech cohort indoor study.