Radon and lung cancer

In the European Union lung cancer death is the most common cause (circa 20%) oftotal cancer deaths. For 2006 it is estimated that 236,000 lung cancer deaths occurredin the EU 25 with the majority of these being due to active cigarette smoking. Fromthe pooling of 13 residential radon epidemiological studies in 9 EU countries it hasbeen estimated that about 9% of lung cancer deaths may be due to radon exposure inthe home. In this paper an account is given of the lung cancer risk estimates derivedfrom these and other residential radon epidemiological studies. A summary account isalso given of the mechanisms by which radon can cause lung cancer. Based on theepidemiological studies it is estimated that in 2006 in the EU 25 about 21,000 lungcancer deaths were due to radon exposure. The important role of smoking in radonrelated lung cancer is discussed. Also discussed are sources of indoor radon as well aspractical strategies that may be adopted to reduce residential radon exposures and theassociated lung cancer risks.