Re: alpha particles and lung cancer

["Christoph Hofmeyr" <Christoph_Hofmeyr@nnr.co.za>]

Harry Hinks and RADSAFERS,

I think it's fine that  you are persistent in your query:

>Jim M,
>I have been asking you for an explanantion on how alpha particles could be

>hormetic for lung cancer.  A friend from the U.S. sent me this article
with
>a possible explanation of hormesis for other diseases, although I still do

>not understand the mechanism......
>etc.

In a posting of 9 Feb I queried about studies of inhabitants of high radon
dwellings in e.g. Saxony (significant numbers >15000 Bq/m^3), as
residential and other records are usually very complete in Germany.  I felt
that a proper survey under such conditions should be a good measure of the
danger of domestic radon (in reality the progeny); it could be a seminal
study.  To be honest, I am baffled that such a study has not had a high
profile, considering worldwide radon 'remediation' efforts.  I followed a
link from one of Jim's postings and am awaiting (unfortunately by
snailmail) some papers from Prof K Becker in Berlin, who read a paper at
the Sept 2000 conference in Munich.  Quoting from Becker (e-mail:
prof.dr.klaus.becker@t-online.de):
" In fact, there is good evidence that not only the lung cancer rate, but,
also that of other types of cancer is less  in high radon areas (for a
compilation, see 22)." -> (22) K. Becker , Is residential radon dangerous?
In: The Effects of low and Very low Doses of Ionizing Radiation on Human
Health, Elsevier 2000, 161-172, ISBN  0-444-50513.
Of course, this would not resolve the question of a mechanism, but it is
important to get the facts straight first.  I am holding my breath.  My own
thoughts.
Chris Hofmeyr
chofmeyr@nnr.co.za


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