TABLE 3

Important findings and impact on public health

Important findingsImpact on public health

  • This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis which provides quantified risk estimates for lung cancer from residential radon exposure, with aERRs of 0.15 and 0.09 per 100 Bq·m−3 among never-smokers and ever-smokers respectively

These findings quantify the excess relative risks for never-smokers and ever-smokers at the WHO “action level of radon” of 100 Bq·m−3

  • There was evidence to support a synergistic interaction between radon and tobacco smoking

Ever-smokers living in radon-prone areas should be considered as a high-risk group and smoking cessation should be among their top health priorities

  • Among never-smokers, aERR of lung cancer per 100 Bq·m−3 of radon exposure was higher for men than women

Among never-smokers in radon-prone areas, men may need to take greater caution than women to avoid or reduce their exposure to radon

aERR: adjusted excess relative risk; WHO: World Health Organization.