Re: Radon in spas versus homes -Reply -Reply

[Michael S Ford <MFORD@pantex.com>]

Bill and Ron, please see my comments below:

>>> Bill Field wrote on Thu 15 Oct 98  14:37 >>>
<In a message dated 10/15/98 11:22:58 AM Central Daylight Time,
<MFORD@pantex.com writes:
<
<< if ill people are receiving radon therapy (high concentration
<<over short periods)...
<<
<Are you saying the relief they find is from radon exposure?  If so,
<what ailments are being relieved by radon exposure?  From
<personal experience, I know I feel better when I sit in a hot tub
<(waterborne radon concentrations less than 2 pCi/L) for a 20
<minutes.  Could it be that the warm water is improving their
<symptoms? ...
<...
<Bill Field
<bill-field@uiowa.edu 
<
<

While you jest about the actual nature of the "feel good" mechanism,
the information that I have does not indicate that all of these places
are mineral springs baths.  For instance, from Luckey (1991) the
Pyatigorsk Superior Radon Hospital is cited as treating up to 1000
patients per day.

Luckey cites the work of Bogoljubov and Adrejev in determining an
*optimum dose* of 2 mSv within 8 to 14 days each year with radon
concentrations of 1.5 to 4.4 kBq/L. (400 to 1200 WL, against a control
population given a placebo)  *Reviews of doses used for different
therapies and the Russian organization for therapy were published.*

Andrejev, S. V., Radon therapy in the USSR:  technology, radiation
protection and dosimetry, Z. Phys. Med. Balneol. Med. Klimatol.,13,
32, 1984; Problems in Modern Radon Therapy, Central Science
Institute for Physical Therapy, Moscow, 1986.

Bogoljubov, W. M., Clinical aspects of radon therapy in the U.S.S.R.,
Z. Phys. Med. Balneol. Med. Klimatol., 17, 59, 1988.

Bogoljubov, W. M., Andrejev, S. V., and Rjasenzerv, K. M.,  Structure
and organization of the network for radon therapy in the U.S.S.R., Z.
Phys. Med. Balneol. Med. Klimatol., 13, 40, 1984.

I do not have copies of these papers, but would be very interested in
reviewing them myself -- although I would suspect Luckey's review
of them to be on the mark.

The *biopositive* effects of these radon treatments are also listed in
Luckey (1991) as *(1) stimulation of the adrenal cortex secretion, (2)
regenerative processes in traumatized tissues, (3) activation of
immune competence, (4) anti-inflammatory effects, 95) analgesic
effects, (6) decreased ovarian disorders, and (7) other normalizing
effects such as reducing high blood pressure.  The focus is on
asthma [a disease of the lung! my comment] and chronic
rheumatism.*

Closer to home, I would almost be certain that you've heard of
people seeking relief in old U mines like the Free Enterprise Radon
Health Mine in Boulder, Montana.  There are no soothing mineral
baths in these mines -- just cold, wet, drafty and unpleasant spaces
that people nonetheless travel to and sit for hours in to seek relief
from many ailments.  *Feeling good* is not the first thing that pops
into a person's mind when they're sitting in these mines.  And yet, in
a matter of weeks after the visits, many individuals find significant or
even complete relief from the ailments that have plagued them for
years or decades.

Other than alpha vs. photon, I don't see a whole lot of difference
between radon therapy being used to jump start the body's immune
system (and others) and sub-therapeutic doses administered in
radiation oncology to stimulate the cancer patient's immune system
prior to the administration of the therapy doses.

Otherwise, where's the link between radon and cancer?  There are
only *WEAK* associations between radon exposures and smoking
miners and essentially NO associations between radon exposures
and non-smokers.  We can argue all day long about the construct of
epidemiological studies that account for all confounders, but if we
continue to ignore the medicinal uses of radon at WL concentrations
as high or higher than miner exposures, what's the point?

Have a great day!
v/r
Michael
*************************
Michael S. Ford, CHP
Texas Radiation Advisory Board
Address:
Radiation Safety Department
Battelle Pantex
Amarillo, TX
806.477.5727 phone
806.477.4198 fax
mford@pantex.com
*************************
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