Radon biobank to expand knowledge regarding the effects of radon

Collection of biosamples for a radon biobank

The radioactive gas radon is one of the principal causes of lung cancer. But what biological effects does it have on the hematopoietic (blood-producing) system, for example? To facilitate research into this question, the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) and the University Medical Centre Göttingen (UMG) are setting up a radon biobank. The UMG collects biosamples such as blood and saliva from people who have been exposed to a known radon activity concentration. The biobank itself will be located at the BfS.

The three-year project has been running since November 2023 and is funded with almost 700,000 euros from the departmental research plan of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV).

Radon is a radioactive gas that is formed in the soil. From there, it can enter buildings through cracks in the foundations or through leaking cable and pipe penetrations, for example, and accumulate in indoor air. The fact that radon increases the risk of lung cancer is scientifically well documented in epidemiological studies. Far less research has been carried out into the underlying biological effects of radon. The few biological studies carried out in humans so far have studied biological material from men in particular.

Consider age and gender in radon research

Automatic microscopic analysis of DNA damage markers

The Radon Biobank is now looking at the entire population and will pave the way for future projects to investigate radon's biological effects. This also includes an investigation of the influence of age and gender. The aim is for findings obtained in the future to help improve protection against radon. As yet, no comparable radon biobank exists in Germany or abroad.

Once the project is completed, the Radon Biobank will contain data and biosamples from some 600 people from around 200 households, including samples from children. For this purpose, the BfS has begun contacting participants of an earlier study in which radon measurements were carried out in their homes. Households with higher radon values (over 300 becquerels per cubic metre of indoor air) and households with very low radon values (under 40 becquerels per cubic metre of indoor air) are being asked for samples. Over 100 households have already agreed.

UMG collects biosamples – BfS stores and analyses them

Planned biosamples and analyses

A study team led by Rami El Shafie, Deputy Director of the Department of Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology at the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), and Sara Nußbeck, Head of the Central Biobank of the UMG, began collecting data and biosamples in November 2024. The specially trained team visits study participants in their homes and collects samples of blood, saliva and coughed-up secretions from the bronchi, also known as sputum, as well as smears from the mouth and nose. In addition to the biosamples, data on health and lifestyle is collected via a questionnaire.

Data and biosamples are then transferred to the BfS site in Munich (Neuherberg), where they are processed, stored, managed and analysed in the Radiation Biology section. On request and following a positive assessment, the collection of samples and data is made available to other researchers from European countries that are subject to either the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) or an adequacy decision of the European Commission. It is not possible to draw conclusions about the individuals who donated their biosamples and data.

The study is officially registered in the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS) and on the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP).