In Focus: Radon and lung cancer

In the European Union lung cancer death is the most common cause (circa 20%) of total cancer deaths. For 2006 it is estimated that 236,000 lung cancer deaths occurred in the EU 25 with the majority of these being due to active cigarette smoking. From the pooling of 13 residential radon epidemiological studies in 9 EU countries it has been estimated that about 9% of lung cancer deaths may be due to radon exposure in the home. In this paper an account is given of the lung cancer risk estimates derived from these and other residential radon epidemiological studies. A summary account is also given of the mechanisms by which radon can cause lung cancer. Based on the epidemiological studies it is estimated that in 2006 in the EU 25 about 21,000 lung cancer deaths were due to radon exposure. The important role of smoking in radon related lung cancer is discussed. Also discussed are sources of indoor radon as well as practical strategies that may be adopted to reduce residential radon exposures and the associated lung cancer risks.