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Assessment of lung cancer risk due to indoor radon exposure in inhabitants of the state of Azad Kashmir Pakistan
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M. Rafique   , N. Manzoo , S. Rahman , S.U. Rahman , M.U. Rajput , Matiullah |
| , mrafique@ajku.edu.pk |
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Abstract: (9822 Views) |
| Background: Several epidemiological studies
conducted on underground miner’s show that
exposure to elevated levels of radioactive radon gas
is expected to increase the risk of lung cancer.
Relative risk of lung cancer is almost linear with
radon exposure. Elevated concentrations of radon are
not only reported within mines but also for closed
indoor environment of general public houses.
Measurements of radon play a serious role in
scrutinizing public health and safety in homes.
Materials and Methods: Indoor radon measurements
were taken over a period of year, using CR-39
detectors. Measured indoor radon concentrations,
was converted in to excess relative risk (ERR) factors
by using the risk model reported in the Biological
Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR VI) report. ERR was
calculated for age groups of 35 and 55 years. A
careful selection of occupancy factor based on
interviews with house occupants has been made.
Results: Using this local occupancy factor, average
excess lung cancer risk for the age group of 35 and
54 y peoples was found to 0.51±0.03 and
0.42±0.03. Similarly average values of ERR for local
occupancy factor with ages 35 and 55 years was
found as 0.59±0.03 and 0.45±0.03. Conclusion: The
overall average excess lung cancer risk for the
studied area was 0.46±0.03. The study suggested
that United State Environmental Protection Agency
(US EPA) occupancy factor gave a higher excess lung
cancer risk as compared with the local occupancy
factor used for studied areas. The ERR due to indoor
radon is within the standard limits and does not pose
any serious threat to the occupants of the houses
under investigation. Iran. J. Radiat. Res., 2012 10(1):
19‐29
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| Keywords: Indoor radon concentration, CR-39 radon detectors, lung cancer, ionizing radiations |
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Full-Text [PDF 472 kb]
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Radiation Biology
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