Case-control study of residential radon and lung cancer in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

• Published in: American journal of epidemiology Vol. 140; no. 4; p. 310
• Main Authors: Létourneau, E G, Krewski, D, Choi, N W, Goddard, M J, McGregor, R G, Zielinski, J M, Du, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15.08.1994
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Air Pollution, Indoor - adverse effects; Air Pollution, Indoor - analysis; Air Pollution, Radioactive - adverse effects; Air Pollution, Radioactive - analysis; Case-Control Studies; Environmental Exposure; Environmental Monitoring; Epidemiological Monitoring; Female; Housing; Humans; Lung Neoplasms - chemically induced; Lung Neoplasms - epidemiology; Male; Manitoba - epidemiology; Matched-Pair Analysis; Middle Aged; Population Surveillance; Radon - adverse effects; Radon - analysis; Regression Analysis; Smoking - adverse effects; Urban Population; Manitoba
• ISSN: 0002-9262
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a117253

A case-control study of lung cancer in relation to exposure to radon in homes in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, was conducted during 1983-1990. In total, 738 individuals with histologically confirmed incident cases of lung cancer were interviewed, along with 738 controls matched on age (+/- 5 years) and sex. Radon dosimeters were placed in all residences in which the study subjects had reported living within the Winnipeg metropolitan area for at least 1 year. Radon dosimetry was done by means of integrated alpha-track measurements over a 1-year period. In the homes monitored, the average level of radon-222 was about 120 becquerels (Bq)/m3 in the bedroom area and 200 Bq/m3 in the basement. After adjusting for cigarette smoking and education, no increase in the relative risk for any of the histologic types of lung cancer observed among the cases was detected in relation to cumulative exposure to radon.