Re: background radiation and cancer

[John Goldsmith <gjohn@bgumail.bgu.ac.il>]

10% of all lung cancers have been attributed by some to background
radon, the major contributor to locally variable background radiation.
In fact no one knows, nor really can an accurate estimate be made, in my
opinion.  On the other hand I cannot prove that background radiation
doesn't contribute to some portion of cancer incidence.   John Goldsmith

On Thu, 18 Sep 1997, Charp, Paul wrote:

> Folks - in reviewing a document on low level exposures (environmental
> levels), a reviewer stated that "It is widely understood that background
> levels of radiation contribute to cancers, somewhere in the vicinity of
> 10% of all cancers."
> 
> I have not seen this statement before.  Any help as to its origin will
> be appreciated.
> 
> paul charp
> pac4@cdc.gov
>