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Mphaga KV, Mbonane TP, Utembe W, Rathebe PC. Short-Term vs. Long-Term: A Critical Review of Indoor Radon Measurement Techniques. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:4575. [PMID: 39065973 PMCID: PMC11280955 DOI: 10.3390/s24144575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Radon is a known carcinogen, and the accurate assessment of indoor levels is essential for effective mitigation strategies. While long-term testing provides the most reliable data, short-term testing (STT) offers a quicker and more cost-effective alternative. This review evaluated the accuracy of STT in predicting annual radon averages and compared testing strategies in Europe (where long-term measurements are common) and the United States (where STT is prevalent). Twenty (20) studies were systematically identified through searches in scientific databases and the grey literature, focusing on STT accuracy and radon management. This review revealed several factors that influence the accuracy of STT. Most studies recommended a minimum four-day test for initial screening, but accuracy varied with radon levels. For low levels (<75 Bq/m3), a one-week STT achieved high confidence (>95%) in predicting annual averages. However, accuracy decreased for moderate levels (approximately 50% success rate), necessitating confirmation with longer testing periods (3 months). High radon levels made STT unsuitable due to significant fluctuations. Seasonality also played a role, with winter months providing a more representative picture of annual radon averages. STT was found to be a useful method for screening low-risk areas with low radon concentrations. However, its limitations were evident in moderate- and high-level scenarios. While a minimum of four days was recommended, longer testing periods (3 months or more) were crucial for achieving reliable results, particularly in areas with potential for elevated radon exposure. This review suggests the need for further research to explore the possibility of harmonizing radon testing protocols between Europe and the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khathutshelo Vincent Mphaga
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; (T.P.M.); (W.U.); (P.C.R.)
| | - Thokozani Patrick Mbonane
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; (T.P.M.); (W.U.); (P.C.R.)
| | - Wells Utembe
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; (T.P.M.); (W.U.); (P.C.R.)
- National Health Laboratory Service, Toxicology and Biochemistry Department, National Institute for Occupational Health, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | - Phoka Caiphus Rathebe
- Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Doornfontein Campus, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 524, Johannesburg 2006, South Africa; (T.P.M.); (W.U.); (P.C.R.)
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Liu Y, Xu Y, Xu W, He Z, Fu C, Du F. Radon and lung cancer: Current status and future prospects. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol 2024; 198:104363. [PMID: 38657702 DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2024.104363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Beyond tobacco smoking, radon takes its place as the second most significant contributor to lung cancer, excluding hereditary and other biologically related factors. Radon and its byproducts play a pivotal role in exposing humans to elevated levels of natural radiation. Approximately 10-20 % of lung cancer cases worldwide can be attributed to radon exposure, leading to between 3 % and 20 % of all lung cancer-related deaths. Nevertheless, a knowledge gap persists regarding the association between radon and lung cancer, impeding radon risk reduction initiatives globally. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in epidemiology, cell biology, dosimetry, and risk modeling concerning radon exposure and its relevance to lung cancer. It also delves into methods for measuring radon concentrations, monitoring radon risk zones, and identifying priorities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Yanqing Xu
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China.
| | - Wei Xu
- Health Management Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, China
| | - Zhengzhong He
- School of Nuclear Science and Technology, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan 421001, China
| | - Cong Fu
- School of Remote Sensing and Information Engineering, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
| | - Fen Du
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Wuhan University TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan, Hubei 430071, China
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Urrutia-Pereira M, Chatkin JM, Chong-Neto HJ, Solé D. Radon exposure: a major cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. J Bras Pneumol 2023; 49:e20230210. [PMID: 38055388 PMCID: PMC10760439 DOI: 10.36416/1806-3756/e20230210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to radon can impact human health. This is a nonsystematic review of articles written in English, Spanish, French, or Portuguese published in the last decade (2013-2023), using databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and SciELO. Search terms selected were radon, human health, respiratory diseases, children, and adults. After analyzing the titles and abstracts, the researchers initially identified 47 studies, which were subsequently reduced to 40 after excluding reviews, dissertations, theses, and case-control studies. The studies have shown that enclosed environments such as residences and workplaces have higher levels of radon than those outdoors. Moreover, radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer, especially in nonsmokers. An association between exposure to radon and development of other lung diseases, such as asthma and COPD, was also observed. It is crucial to increase public awareness and implement governmental control measures to reduce radon exposure. It is essential to quantify radon levels in all types of buildings and train professionals to conduct such measurements according to proven efficacy standards. Health care professionals should also be informed about this threat and receive adequate training to deal with the effects of radon on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilyn Urrutia-Pereira
- . Departamento de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA - Uruguaiana (RS) Brasil
| | - José Miguel Chatkin
- . Disciplina de Medicina Interna e Pneumologia, Escola de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul - PUCRS - Porto Alegre (RS) Brasil
| | | | - Dirceu Solé
- . Disciplina de Pediatria, Escola Paulista de Medicina - EPM - Universidade Federal de São Paulo - UNIFESP - São Paulo (SP) Brasil
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Branco PTBS, Martin-Gisbert L, Sá JP, Ruano-Raviña A, Barros-Dios J, Varela-Lema L, Sousa SIV. Quantifying indoor radon levels and determinants in schools: A case study in the radon-prone area Galicia-Norte de Portugal Euroregion. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163566. [PMID: 37084905 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Radon is a carcinogenic compound, and is particularly concerning in the education sector, where children and teachers may be exposed even longer than at home. Thus, this study intended to characterise radon in the indoor air of scholar environments in different provinces/districts of the Euroregion Galicia-Norte de Portugal. With a pioneering approach, this study evaluated the influence of specific factors/characteristics (location, type of management, construction material, season and floor within the building) and quantified their relative contribution to indoor radon levels. Radon was continuously monitored in 416 classrooms from school buildings located in urban and rural sites from different provinces/districts both in the regions of Galicia (A Coruña and Lugo provinces) and Portugal (Porto and Bragança districts), considering rooms for different age groups (from nursery schools to universities). Single and multivariate linear regression models were built considering the radon concentrations as the outcome variable and different room/building characteristics as predictor variables. Mean and median radon concentrations were 332 Bq·m-3 and 181 Bq·m-3, respectively. The radon concentrations observed are a public health concern, as almost 1/3 of the places monitored exceeded the reference limit value of the European legislation (300 Bq·m-3). Moreover, around 50 % of the indoor levels measured could be attributed to room/building characteristics: the building's location and the main construction material, as well as the occupants' age group, the floor within the building and the school's type of management (public/private). This study concluded that radon testing is needed in all school buildings and classrooms without exceptions. Thus, public administrations are urged to dedicate funds for testing, mitigation and public dissemination initiatives in schools. A special protocol for radon sampling in school buildings should also be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro T B S Branco
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Lucia Martin-Gisbert
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela-IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
| | - Juliana P Sá
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Alberto Ruano-Raviña
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Cross-Disciplinary Research in Environmental Technologies (CRETUS), University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Barros-Dios
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela-IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Leonor Varela-Lema
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15705 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela-IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública/CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
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Brobbey A, Rydz E, Fenton S, Demers PA, Ge CB, Peters CE. Characterizing occupational radon exposure greater than 100 Bq/m 3 in a highly exposed country. Sci Rep 2022; 12:21323. [PMID: 36494406 PMCID: PMC9734100 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-25547-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Radon is an established lung carcinogen concentrating in indoor environments with importance for many workers worldwide. However, a systematic assessment of radon levels faced by all workers, not just those with direct uranium or radon exposure, has not previously been completed. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of workers exposed to radon, and the level of exposure (> 100-200 Bq/m3, 200-400 Bq/m3, 400-800 Bq/m3, and > 800 Bq/m3) in a highly exposed country (Canada). Exposures among underground workers were assessed using the CAREX Canada approach. Radon concentrations in indoor workplaces, obtained from two Canadian surveys, were modelled using lognormal distributions. Distributions were then applied to the susceptible indoor worker population to yield the number of exposed workers, by occupation, industry, province, and sex. In total, an estimated 603,000 out of Canada's 18,268,120 workers are exposed to radon in Canada. An estimated52% of exposed workers are women, even though they comprise only 48% of the labour force. The majority (68%) are exposed at a level of > 100-200 Bq/m3. Workers are primarily exposed in educational services, professional, scientific and technical services, and health care and social assistance, but workers in mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction have the largest number of exposed workers at high levels (> 800 Bq/m3). Overall, a significant number of workers are exposed to radon, many of whom are not adequately protected by existing guidelines. Radon surveys across multiple industries and occupations are needed to better characterize occupational exposure. These results can be used to identify exposed workers, and to support lung cancer prevention programs within these groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Brobbey
- CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - E Rydz
- CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - S Fenton
- CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - P A Demers
- Occupational Cancer Research Centre, Ontario Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - C B Ge
- TNO, The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - C E Peters
- CAREX Canada, School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Oncology, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
- BCCDC, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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