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Re: Radon-Stirring the Pot



In a message dated 9/19/02 6:36:46 AM Mountain Daylight Time, estabrookshb@Y12.doe.gov writes:


1. Where did the claim that radon is the "second leading cause of lung
cancer in the United States" originate?



USEPA, I believe.


2. How is this claim experimentally substantiated?



No.


3. Has this claim been proven via epidemiological studies (vs. ecological)?
(Warning: Since I'm "not an epidemiologist" I may be revealing my profound
ignorance.)

Epidemiological studies do not "prove," or even show, causality; they show correlations, and correlation is not causality.  I belive that at least part of the epidemiological basis for this statement is the "Iowa Study" of Field et al.  I wouldn't draw this conclusion from the Iowa Study, but then I am not an epidemiologist either.

I would like to see both Bill Field 's and bernie Cohen's response to these questions.

Ruth.

Ruth Weiner, Ph. D.
ruthweiner@aol.com