Probability of causation for lung cancer after exposure to radon progeny: a comparison of models and data

Health Phys. 1994 Jul;67(1):15-23. doi: 10.1097/00004032-199407000-00002.

Abstract

The estimates of lung cancer risk due to the exposure to radon decay products are based on different data sets from underground mining and on different mathematical models that are used to fit the data. Diagrams of the excess relative rate per 100 working level months in its dependence on age at exposure and age attained are shown to be a useful tool to elucidate the influence that is due to the choice of the model, and to assess the differences between the data from the major western cohorts and those from the Czech uranium miners. It is seen that the influence of the choice of the model is minor compared to the difference between the data sets. The results are used to derive attributable lifetime risks and probabilities of causation for lung cancer following radon progeny exposures.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Czechoslovakia
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Mining*
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Occupational Diseases / epidemiology
  • Occupational Diseases / etiology*
  • Occupational Exposure* / adverse effects
  • Probability
  • Radon Daughters* / adverse effects
  • Risk Factors
  • Uranium*

Substances

  • Radon Daughters
  • Uranium