Re: Radon Question/Radon Section HPS

[FIELDRW@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/20/98 9:08:59 AM Central Daylight Time,
ograabe@ucdavis.edu writes:

<< October 20, 1998
 Davis, CA
 
 The CDC data suggest that about 93% of lung cancer cases in the U.S. are
 associated with exposure to tobacco smoke (not 80%).
 
 Otto
 		*****************************************************
 		Prof. Otto G. Raabe, Ph.D., CHP
               Institute of Toxicology & Environmental Health (ITEH)
 		     (Street address: Old Davis Road)
 		University of California, Davis, CA 95616
 		Phone: 530-752-7754  FAX: 530-758-6140
 		E-mail ograabe@ucdavis.edu


The attributable risk of smoking and lung cancer varies as the target
population changes.   It can also vary over time and by age group.  So, one
needs to be specific concerning the cohort studied and the time period that
attributable risk applies to.  The attributable risk varies by sex, ethnic
origin, etc.  One cannot point to a cohort of individuals in a specific region
with a defined sexual and ethnic make-up and say that the attributable risk
should be representative of some other group studied.  If you are interested
in specific references, please email me at bill-field@uiowa.edu.  Generally,
attributable risk calculations are most valid for cohort studies.  The
attributable risk should always have the population it represents indicated
and the 95% confidence intervals.

Bill Field
bill-field@uiowa.edu


              
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