Re: Radon therapy versus questionable medical uses -Reply

[FIELDRW@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/16/98 3:31:28 PM Central Daylight Time, MFORD@pantex.com
writes:

<< Frankly, I find the fact that radon investigators do not delve into
 (read: ignore) the possibility that radon exposures may NOT be
 harmful in a treatment setting to be a bit unsettling.  How large does
 a study group have to be for the FDA to approve a new
 pharmaceutical for clinical use?  If you could do the same with
 radon in a Russian setting, wouldn't that shorten the whole query
 into radon at residential levels?
  >>


Michael -

The residential radon studies were not set up to find just a positive
association.  For example, it was equally possible that the Iowa study could
have found a significant negative association.  I have been very open to the
possibility of a beneficial effect at residential concentrations.  To date, I
have not seen a convincing positive or negative effect in the residential
studies (excluding the Iowa, Missouri, Utah/CN studies which have not released
their findings yet.).  However, the majority of the residential studies have
shown a positive effect (increased cancer rates with increasing radon
exposure) with error bars that extend to no effect in most cases. Many of
these studies took place in areas with only low or moderate radon
concentrations.  The studies performed in NJ had lower mean radon
concentrations indoors than our mean outdoor radon concentrations in Iowa.

 I feel epidemiology studies examining the effects of potential environmental
toxicants should be carried out first in areas where there are elevated
exposures.  That is one reason the Iowa study was funded.  Iowa has the
highest mean radon concentrations in the United States.  Also, you need to
perform the study in a state with a good cancer registry and where the
population is relatively stable.  Such a situation does not exist in Russia.
The cancer reporting is very problematic.

I have requested the articles you referenced.  I have read one of them
already, but promise to read them all (once translated) with an open mind.  I
will get back to you by direct email at that time.  

Have a good weekend - - Bill 

R. William Field, Ph.D.
Department of Preventive Medicine
University of Iowa
bill-field@uiowa.edu
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