[ RadSafe ] Low Dose Radiation Benefits

[Michael LaFontaine, P. Phys.]

Patricia, I share your concern. It's hard to believe the EPA hasn't 
revised their lung cancer due to radon estimate after all these 
years. Has a definitive, non-mining, non-smoking, radon-induced lung 
cancer death been recorded or reported? It was common practice in 
Canada for articles on radon to cite 2,100 lung cancer deaths due to 
radon each year (writers were dividing the US number by 10 to reflect 
our 1/10 of USA population). Data compiled by Statistics Canada (with 
input from our various provincial forensic pathology services) 
indicates 18,560 total lung, bronchus and trachea cancer deaths in 
2007 (most were active or former smokers, many lived in a second-hand 
smoke environment). Most annual Rn levels in Canada are below the 4 
pCi/L USEPA guideline.

The following is from the National Cancer Institute's website (note - 
evidence for radon has "fair" validity only):

Smoking Avoidance

Based on solid evidence, cigarette smoking causes lung cancer and 
therefore, smoking avoidance would result in decreased mortality from 
primary lung cancers.

Description of the Evidence
    * Study Design: Evidence obtained from a randomized controlled trial.
    * Internal Validity: Good.
    * Consistency: Good.
    * Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Decreased risk, large 
magnitude.
    * External Validity: Good.
Smoking Cessation

Based on solid evidence, long-term sustained smoking cessation 
results in decreased incidence of lung cancer and of second primary 
lung tumors.

Description of the Evidence
    * Study Design: Evidence obtained from case-control and cohort studies.
    * Internal Validity: Good.
    * Consistency: Good.
    * Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Decreased risk, 
moderate magnitude.
    * External Validity: Good.
Beta Carotene

Based on solid evidence, high-intensity smokers who take 
pharmacological doses of beta carotene have an increased lung cancer 
incidence and mortality that is associated with taking the supplement.

Description of the Evidence
    * Study Design: Evidence obtained from randomized controlled trials.
    * Internal Validity: Good.
    * Consistency: Good.
    * Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Increased risk, small 
magnitude.
    * External Validity: Good.
Radon Exposure

Based on solid evidence, exposure to radon increases lung cancer 
incidence and mortality.

Description of the Evidence
    * Study Design: Evidence obtained from case-control and cohort studies.
    * Internal Validity: Fair.
    * Consistency: Good.
    * Magnitude of Effects on Health Outcomes: Increased risk that 
follows a dose-response gradient, with small increases in risk for 
levels experienced in most at-risk homes.
    * External Validity: Fair.

Time to revisit BEIR yet again.

Best regards,

Michael LaFontaine

At 12:37 PM 21/07/2011, you wrote:
>Hello Jerry Cohen,
>
>Find here, your "answer of enlightenment":
>http://www.epa.gov/aging/press/epanews/2011/2011_0620_2.htm
>
>Frightens the he** out of me!
>
>Patricia Lewis
>Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine
>PO Box 67
>Boulder MT 59632
>406 225-3383 (ofc)
>888 890-5860 (ofc toll free)
>http://www.radonmine.com
>*"fan" us on Facebook !*
>_______________________________________________
>You are currently subscribed to the RadSafe mailing list
>
>Before posting a message to RadSafe be sure to have read and 
>understood the RadSafe rules. These can be found at: 
>http://health.phys.iit.edu/radsaferules.html
>
>For information on how to subscribe or unsubscribe and other 
>settings visit: http://health.phys.iit.edu

Michael LaFontaine, P. Phys.