Study of lung cancer risk and residential radon exposure

Objective

Epidemiological studies of underground miners have shown that exposure to radon and radon progeny increases the risk of lung cancer. However, there are uncertainties in using these data to estimate the risk associated with radon exposure in dwellings. In contrast, information from case-control studies of residential radon and lung cancer in the general population are directly relevant as inputs to the formulation of radon remediation and lung cancer prevention programmes. The overall objective of this project is to improve direct estimate of the risk of lung cancer from residential radon exposure. This will be done first by pooling together data from case-control studies that have been carried out in several European countries, and then by pooling the European data with similar data from studies carried out in North America. Furthermore, as well as making full use of exiting dosimetry based on alpha-track radon detectors, new dosimetry techniques based on measurements in glass will be evaluated. Based on these techniques, additional assessments of radon exposure will be made for a sample of individuals already included in the European studies.

Fields of science

• natural sciences › chemical sciences › inorganic chemistry › noble gases
• medical and health sciences › clinical medicine › oncology › lung cancer
• engineering and technology › materials engineering

Programme(s)

• FP5-EAECTP C - Research and training programme (Euratom) in the field of nuclear energy (1998 to 2002)

Topic(s)

• 2.1.3.-1.1. - Risk estimates for exposures at low dose and low dose rate

Call for proposal

Data not available

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB)

Address

Chilton
OX11 0RQ Didcot
United Kingdom

Participants (15)

ASSOCIAZIONE RICERCA EPIDEMIOLOGICA - EPI

Italy

Address

Via Di Santa Costanza 53
00198 Roma

CANCER RESEARCH UK

United Kingdom

Address

Lincoln's Inn Field 61
WC2A 3PX London

FINNISH CANCER REGISTRY

Finland

Address

21b,liisankatu 21b
00170 Helsinki

GENT UNIVERSITY

Belgium

Address

86,proeftuinstraat 86
9000 Gent

GSF-RESEARCH CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH

Germany

Address

Ingolstaedter Landstrase 1
85764 Oberschleissheim

INSTITUT DE RADIOPROTECTION ET DE SURETE NUCLEAIRE

France

Address

Rue Auguste Lemaire
92262 Fontenay Aux Roses

ISTITUTO SUPERIORE DI SANITA

Italy

Address

Viale Regina Elena 299
00161 Roma

KAROLINSKA INSTITUTE

Sweden

Address

Nobels Vaeg, 13
171 77 Stockholm

NATIONAL RADIATION PROTECTION INSTITUTE

Czechia

Address

Srobarova 48
100 00 Praha 10

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN

Ireland

Address

Belfield, Stillorgan Road
4 Dublin

RADIATION AND NUCLEAR SAFETY AUTHORITY

Finland

Address

Laippatie 4
00880 Helsinki

SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE, HANNOVER

Germany

Address

Bischfsholer Damm 15
30173 Hannover

SWEDISH RADIATION PROTECTION INSTITUTE

Sweden

Address

171 16 Stockholm

TIROLER LANDESKRANKENANSTALTEN GES.MBH

Austria

Address

Anichstrasse 35
6020 Innsbruck

UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA

Canada

Address

Smyth Road 451
K1H 8M5 Ottawa