Radon exposure significantly affected by behaviour and socio-economic factors, study finds

Calgary, AB – A new multi-disciplinary study, including researchers at the University of Calgary, shows that people who act quickly to test for and mitigate radon gas in their homes are at a much lower risk of developing lung cancer long-term.

The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports at Nature.com, found that people who act quickly to learn about, test for, and reduce exposure to radioactive radon gas in their homes could reduce their lifetime risk of lung cancer by as much as 40 per cent, compared to those who do not.

Researchers found that some Canadians are absorbing more than 100 millisieverts — the unit used to measure radiation doses — of radiation to their lungs per year just from the air of their own homes.

“To put this into perspective, these are radiation doses known to have caused cancer after the Chernobyl accident. This could explain why, even though Canadian tobacco use is amongst the lowest in the world, our rates of lung cancer diagnosis and death are amongst the highest.”

Dr. Aaron Goodarzi, PhD, lead researcher of Evict Radon and professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Cumming School of Medicine

The research also raises questions about the lack of access to community radon testing and reduction services.

“Requiring individuals to be entirely responsible for testing and mitigating radon in their homes is increasing lung cancer health disparities, especially for low-income families. We need more system-wide solutions from policy makers and authorities.”

Dr. Linda Carlson, PhD, study co-lead and professor in the Cumming School of Medicine and Faculty of Arts

Radioactive radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers, representing between one in five to as many as one in three lung cancer cases in Canada. Smokers are in danger too, as radon exposure multiplies lung cancer risks from tobacco.

“This work also highlights a new health equity issue for Canada as, at present, people who do not smoke but who are exposed to high levels radon would not qualify to be included in the lung cancer screening programs emerging across Canada.”

Dr. Cheryl Peters, PhD, study co-author and professor in Community Health Sciences and Senior Scientist at the BC Centre for Disease Control and BC Cancer

Funded by Health Canada, a Hopewell Residential Cancer Research Award, and the Alberta Real Estate Foundation, this research was undertaken by a multidisciplinary team of cancer researchers at the University of Calgary and University of British Columbia.

Media inquiries

Kyle Marr
Senior Communications Specialist
Cumming School of Medicine
403.473.6049
kyle.marr@ucalgary.ca

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