Why is radon a health problem? Lesson 2 Why is radon a health problem?

Radon and lung cancer Annual deaths (1995) from lung cancer: 146,400 Why is radon a health problem? Radon and lung cancer Annual deaths (1995) from lung cancer: 146,400 Total radon-related deaths per year: 21,000 (14%) Average years of life lost for radon-related lung cancer: 17 These figures represent the latest available statistics from the EPA. See U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Fact Sheet: Updated Risk Assessment for Radon in Indoor Air,” http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/risk_assessment_factsheet.html. University of Connecticut 2006

How radon harms the lungs Why is radon a health problem? How radon harms the lungs Radon decay products become trapped in the lungs As these products decay, some release alpha radiation Radiation damages lung tissue University of Connecticut 2006

Lung cancer: a deadly disease The leading cause of cancer death for men and women 6 out of 10 people with lung cancer die within 1 year of diagnosis 7-8 out of 10 die within 2 years of diagnosis Cancer spreads from the lungs to other parts of the body

Cancer deaths from radon in tap water Cause Swallowing water that contains radon Cause Breathing radon released by water—as in showering or washing dishes Total 168 cancer deaths per year related to radon in water

Relative risk: estimated deaths per year Why is radon a health problem? Relative risk: estimated deaths per year Graphic: From U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, A Citizen’s Guide to Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon (2004), p. 2. University of Connecticut 2006

Radon concentrations in the air Picocuries/liter (pCi/L) Average outdoor 0.4 Average indoor 1.3 Consider fixing the home 2-4 Action level: fix the home 4 or above

EPA estimates 1 in 15 homes has a radon concentration at or above the action level of 4 pCi/L Reducing radon in homes could reduce radon-related lung cancers by about 1/3

Radon risk for people who never smoked Why is radon a health problem? Radon risk for people who never smoked Radon level (pCi/L) If 1,000 nonsmokers were exposed to this radon level, the number who could get lung cancer after lifetime exposure* Lung cancer risk equal to** 20 36 35 times the risk of dying by drowning 10 18 20 times the risk of dying in a home fire 8 15 4 times the risk of dying in a fall 4 7 The risk of dying in a car crash 2 The risk of dying from poison Note: In this table, “nonsmokers” are people who have never smoked. Former smokers may have a higher risk. The numbers of those who could get lung cancer are estimates. *Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). **Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports. Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html University of Connecticut 2006

Radon risk for smokers Radon level (pCi/L) Why is radon a health problem? Radon risk for smokers Radon level (pCi/L) If 1,000 smokers were exposed to this level, the number who could get lung cancer after lifetime exposure* Lung cancer risk equal to** 20 260 250 times the risk of dying by drowning 10 150 200 times the risk of dying in a home fire 8 120 30 times the risk of dying in a fall 4 62 5 times the risk of dying in a car crash 2 32 6 times the risk of dying from poison Note: In this table, “smokers” are people who currently smoke. Former smokers may have a lower risk. The numbers of those who could get lung cancer are estimates. *Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). **Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports. Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html University of Connecticut 2006

Radon risk comparison Radon level (pCi/L) People who never smoked Why is radon a health problem? Radon risk comparison Estimated number of people who could get lung cancer per 1,000 people exposed over a lifetime Radon level (pCi/L) People who never smoked smoke 20 36 260 10 18 150 8 15 120 4 7 62 2 32 1.3 0.4  - 3 Source: http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html University of Connecticut 2006

Surgeon General’s National Health Advisory “Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It’s important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques.” January 2005

Summary Radon is known to cause lung cancer Estimated radon-related deaths each year: 21,000 Reducing radon in homes could reduce radon-related lung cancers by about 1/3 EPA action level: 4pCi/L When people breathe in radon and its decay products, radioactive particles get trapped in the lungs As the particles decay, they damage lung tissue With long-term exposure, damage increases risk of lung cancer

Summary Chances of developing lung cancer depend on Amount of radon in the home Length of exposure Smoking Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing lung cancer