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I am accustomed to customers that do not know how to research the internet and want to give them sites to get not only the answer to the specific question, but have complete information that may also need.
I will research more information from Texas A &M which I know vets there and with the research they do, I hopefuly can get answer for you.
CANCER AND SCIENTIFIC FACTS
CARCINOGENICITY
Radon's primary hazard is caused from inhalation of the gas and its highly radioactive heavy metallic decay products (Polonium, Lead, and Bismuth) which tend to collect on dust in the air. The problem arises when these elements stick to the delicate cells lining the passageways leading into the lungs.
There is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of radon and its isotopic forms, radon-222 and radon-220, in experimental animals. When administered by inhalation, preceded by a single exposure to cerium hydroxide dust, radon induced pulmonary adenomas, adenocarcinomas, invasive mixed adenosquamous carcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas in male rats. Extrapulmonary metastases occurred in only one animal. Most or all of the tumors were believed to be bronchiolar or bronchio-alveolar in origin. Radon decay products in combination with uranium-ore dust induced a progression of activity from single basal cell hyperplasia in bronchioles to malignant tumors in male hamsters when exposed by inhalation. Lung tumors observed were adenomas, adenocarcinomas, and squamous cell carcinomas; bronchiolar and alveolar metaplasia, adenomatous lesions, fibrosis, and interstitial pneumonia were also observed. When administered by inhalation in combination with decay products, uranium-ore dust, and cigarette smoke, radon-induced nasal carcinomas, epidermoid carcinomas, bronchio-alveolar carcinomas, and fibrosarcoma were observed in dogs of both sexes. In general, a significant increase was observed in respiratory tract tumors in rats and dogs in comparison with unexposed animals. A dose- response relationship was noted in those experiments with rats in which radon was tested. In most instances, tumors at sites other than the lung were not reported, but in one study, mention was made of tumors of the upper lip and urinary tract in rats.
An IARC Working Group reported that there is sufficient evidence for the carcinogenicity of radon and its decay products in humans. Increased incidences of lung cancer have been reported from numerous epidemiologic studies of groups occupationally exposed to high doses of radon, especially underground hard rock miners. These include particularly uranium miners, but also groups of iron-ore and other metal miners, and one group of fluorspar miners. Strong evidence for exposure response relationships has been obtained from several studies, in spite of uncertainties that affect estimates of the exposure of the study populations to radon decay products. Several small case-control studies of lung cancer have suggested a higher risk among individuals living in houses known or presumed to have higher levels of radon and its decay products than among individuals with lower presumed exposure in houses. The evidence on the interaction of radon and its decay products with cigarette smoking with regard to lung cancer does not lead to a simple conclusion. The data from the largest study are consistent with a multiplicative or submultiplicative model of synergisms and reject an additive model. In many studies of miners and in one of presumed domestic exposure, small cell cancers accounted for a greater proportion than expected of the lung cancer cases. In one population of uranium miners, this proportion has been declining with the passage of time. Because of the limited scale of epidemiologic studies of nonoccupational exposure to radon decay products available at the time reviews were made, quantification of risk has been based only on data of miners' experience. An IARC Working Group considered that the epidemiologic evidence does not lead to a firm conclusion concerning the interaction between exposure to radon decay products and tobacco smoking. Most of the epidemiologic studies involve small numbers of cases, and the analytical approaches for assessing interaction have been variable and sometimes inadequate
If you find that your home has high radon levels, there are ways to reduce the concentrations. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. Most radon problems can be fixed by a do-it-yourselfer for for less than $500. If you need the assistance of a professional.
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Edited by JustAskTammy on September 8 2006 at 10:13am
