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Environmental/Occupational Exposure to Radon and Non-Pulmonary Neoplasm Risk: A Review of Epidemiologic Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Paola Mozzoni

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
    Centre for Research in Toxicology (CERT), University of Parma, Via A. Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy)

  • Silvana Pinelli

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy)

  • Massimo Corradi

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
    Centre for Research in Toxicology (CERT), University of Parma, Via A. Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy)

  • Silvia Ranzieri

    (Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy)

  • Delia Cavallo

    (INAIL Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy)

  • Diana Poli

    (INAIL Research, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene, Via Fontana Candida 1, 00078 Monte Porzio Catone, Italy)

Abstract

Although Radon (Rn) is a known agent for lung cancer, the link between Rn exposure and other non-pulmonary neoplasms remains unclear. The aim of this review is to investigate the role of Rn in the development of tumors other than lung cancer in both occupational and environmental exposure. Particularly, our attention has been focused on leukemia and tumors related to brain and central nervous system (CNS), skin, stomach, kidney, and breast. The epidemiologic literature has been systematically reviewed focusing on workers, general population, and pediatric population. A weak increase in leukemia risk due to Rn exposure was found, but bias and confounding factors cannot be ruled out. The results of studies conducted on stomach cancer are mixed, although with some prevalence for a positive association with Rn exposure. In the case of brain and CNS cancer and skin cancer, results are inconclusive, while no association was found for breast and kidney cancers. Overall, the available evidence does not support a conclusion that a causal association has been established between Rn exposure and the risk of other non-pulmonary neoplasms mainly due to the limited number and heterogeneity of existing studies. To confirm this result, a statistical analysis should be necessary, even if it is now not applicable for the few studies available.

Suggested Citation

  • Paola Mozzoni & Silvana Pinelli & Massimo Corradi & Silvia Ranzieri & Delia Cavallo & Diana Poli, 2021. "Environmental/Occupational Exposure to Radon and Non-Pulmonary Neoplasm Risk: A Review of Epidemiologic Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:19:p:10466-:d:650176
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kelsey Gordon & Paul D. Terry & Xingxing Liu & Tiffany Harris & Don Vowell & Bud Yard & Jiangang Chen, 2018. "Radon in Schools: A Brief Review of State Laws and Regulations in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-9, September.
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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.
    2. Andreas Maier & Tarryn Bailey & Annika Hinrichs & Sylvie Lerchl & Richard T. Newman & Claudia Fournier & Charlot Vandevoorde, 2023. "Experimental Setups for In Vitro Studies on Radon Exposure in Mammalian Cells—A Critical Overview," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(9), pages 1-29, April.

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