Estimation of Lifetime Lung Cancer Risk from Radon Inhalation in PNG

Abstract

There are several known factors causing lung cancer. Exposure to nanoparticles, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and inhalation of radioactive radon gas are the major sources. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that radon exposure accounts for approximately 3% to 14% of all lung cancer cases, depending on factors like average radon levels and smoking habits. Research in a Southeast Asian country, estimated 26% of lung cancer deaths in males and 28% in females. These were attributed by indoor radon exposure, with variations depending on local radon concentrations. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after cigarette smoking. The EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year as a result of radon-related lung disease. Radon is radioactive and can decay into cancer-causing radioactive progeny.

These progenies stick onto the Trachea Bronchi region of lung and continuously irradiate the lung tissues unless they are translocated by some physiological process. Radon need to be measured for a long time in the indoor atmosphere to obtain a time averaged estimate of the inhalation dose to the inhabitants. Active radon measurements are more accurate even if they are difficult to deploy for measurements. In the present study, results of measurements of nearly a year long continuous indoor radon measurements at different locations in the city of Lae in PNG will be presented. Using the results of the measurement of indoor radon activity, excess lifetime risk due to the inhalation of radon will also be presented.