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Radon Exposure and Neurodegenerative Disease

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Gómez-Anca

    (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago, Spain)

  • Juan Miguel Barros-Dios

    (Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago, Spain
    Department of Preventive Medicine, Santiago de Compostela University Teaching Hospital Complex, Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago, Spain
    Center for Biomedical Research on the Network of Epidemiology and Public Health (Centro DE Investigacion Biomédica en Red DE Epidemiología Y Salud Pública), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Abstract

Background: To carry out a systematic review of scientific literature about the association between radon exposure and neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: We performed a bibliographic search in the following databases: Pub med (Medline), Cochrane, BioMed Central and Web of Science. We collected the data by following a predetermined search strategy in which several terms werecombined. After an initial search, 77 articles were obtained.10 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five of these 10 studies were related to multiple sclerosis (MS), 2 were about motor neuron diseases (MND), in particular amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 3 were related to both Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Results: The majority of the included articles, suggested a possible association between radon exposure and a subsequent development of neurodegenerative diseases. Some of the studies that obtained statistically significant resultsrevealed a possible association between radon exposure and an increase in MS prevalence. Furthermore, it was also suggested that radon exposure increases MND and AD mortality. Regarding AD and PD, it was observed that certainde cay products of radon-222 ( 222 Rn), specifically polonium-210 ( 210 Po) and bismuth-210 ( 210 Bi), present a characteristic distributionpattern within the brain anatomy. However, the study with the highest scientific evidence included in this review, which investigated a possible association between the concentration of residential radon gas and the MS incidence, revealed no significant results. Conclusions: It cannot be concluded, although it is observed, that there is a possible causal association between radon exposure and neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the available studies are ecological so, studies of higher statistical evidence are needed to establish a causal relationship. Further research is needed on this topic.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Gómez-Anca & Juan Miguel Barros-Dios, 2020. "Radon Exposure and Neurodegenerative Disease," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-16, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:20:p:7439-:d:426991
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Charles B Breckenridge & Colin Berry & Ellen T Chang & Robert L Sielken Jr. & Jack S Mandel, 2016. "Association between Parkinson’s Disease and Cigarette Smoking, Rural Living, Well-Water Consumption, Farming and Pesticide Use: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-42, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Gary G. Schwartz & Marilyn G. Klug & Mark R. Williamson & Heather M. Schwartz, 2022. "Criterion Validity of Radon Test Values Reported by a Commercial Laboratory versus the Environmental Protection Agency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-8, March.

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