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How does radon affect health?

Drawing of radon inside the lung Radon and health

Inhaling radon and its radioactive decay products polonium, bismuth, and lead over a longer time increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon is one of the most important causes of lung cancer after smoking.

Current knowledge about the effects of radon on human health is based largely on epidemiological studies on miners carried out since the 1960s. Since the 1980s, the miner studies have been complemented by case-control studies on the risk of lung cancer from radon in homes in Europe, North America, and China.

Drawing of a house with three persons and radon in the ambient air

How radon affects health

Inhaling radon and its radioactive decay products over a longer time increases the risk of lung cancer. Approximately 6 % of all lung cancer deaths in Germany can be attributed to radon. Radon is therefore one of the most important causes of lung cancer after smoking.

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Lounger inside a tunnel

Radon therapies

In a radon treatment, radioactive radon is applied to people for medicinal purposes. Patients are exposed to a high concentration of radon for a short period to alleviate pain for several months. The benefits and risks of radon therapy are controversial. Radon applications are not advised as spa treatments.

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Research on Radon effects

Radon Research

There is now no doubt that radon can cause lung cancer in humans. It is known how radon affects human health and how we can protect ourselves from high radon concentrations. This knowledge about health risks from radon is due to epidemiological miner studies and studies on radon in the home: They show the risks posed by radon.

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