Risk of Lung Cancer After Radon Exposure

 

Parameters affecting risk:

(1) duration of exposure

(2) radon levels (expressed in picoCuries per liter)

(3) nonsmoker vs smoker vs former smoker

Radon Level Exposure over a Lifetime	Rate of developing lung cancer if a nonsmoker	Rate of developing lung cancer if a smoker
0.4 pCi/L	< 1 per 1000	3 per 1000
1.3 pCi/L	< 1 per 1000	9 per 1000
2 pCi/L	1 per 1000	15 per 1000
4 pCi/L	2 per 1000	29 per 1000
8 pCi/L	3 per 1000	57 per 1000
10 pCi/L	4 per 1000	71 per 1000
20 pCi/L	8 per 1000	135 per 1000

 

If the person is a former smoker, then the risk is intermediate between that of a nonsmoker and that of the smoker, depending on the amount smoked and duration of use.

 

Units of radioactivity:

• conventional units: picocuries per liter

• SI units: 37 becquerels per cubic meter

• 1 pCi/L = 37 Bq per m^3 (1 curie = 3.7 * 10^10 becquerels; pico = 10^(-12); 1 liter = 0.001 cubic meters

 

Actions which can reduce the risk of developing lung cancer:

(1) If the person is a smoker, then smoking should be stopped as soon as possible.

(2) Measure radon in the home or environment:

(2a) If the radon levels are >= 4 pCi/L, then the home should be fixed to reduce radon levels.

(2b) If radon levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L, then consider fixing the home.

(2c) Radon levels < 2 pCi/L is hard to reduce further.