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1357608 
Journal Article 
Relation of radon exposure and tobacco use to lung cancer among tin miners in Yunnan Province, China 
Qiao Y-L; Taylor, PR; Yao S-X; Schatzkin, A; Mao B-L; Lubin, J; Rao J-Y; Mcadams, M; Xuan X-Z; Li J-Y 
1989 
Yes 
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
ISSN: 0271-3586
EISSN: 1097-0274 
16 
5 
511-521 
English 
An investigation was performed to evaluate the relation of radon (10043922) and tobacco exposure to lung cancer risk among past and present employees of the Yunnan Tin Corporation (YTC). All male lung cancer cases, between the ages of 35 to 80 years, who reported to the Labor Protection Institute of the YTC during 1967 to 1984, lived in the Gejiu area, and were alive in 1985 were included in this investigation. A number of questions regarding use of tobacco were asked during the interview including questions on both use of water pipes and cigarettes. Exposure to radon daughters was estimated from industrial hygiene values measured or estimated for each individual mine. Arsenic (7440382) exposures were also estimated from industrial hygiene data obtained separately for each of the four mines examined. Results indicated an increased risk of lung cancer for water pipe smoking, a traditional form of tobacco use practiced in 91 percent of the cases and 85 percent of referents. To have ever used water pipes was associated with a two fold elevation in risk compared with tobacco abstainers, and a dose response relation was noted with increasing categories of pipe year usage. Estimated working level months (WLM) of radon exposure varied from zero to 1,761 among subjects but averaged 515 in cases versus only 244 in referents. Analyses indicated that the persons in the highest quarter of the radon exposure distribution had an odds ratio of 9.5 compared to persons without radon exposure, after controlling for arsenic exposure and other potential confounders. Higher risk was associated with long duration as opposed to high rate of exposure. Cross categorizations of radon exposure and tobacco use suggested greater risk associated with radon exposure than tobacco in these workers. 
DCN-187685; Epidemiology; Mine workers; Pulmonary system disorders; Carcinogens; Radiation exposure; Cigarette smoking; Tobacco smoke; Lung cancer; Risk analysis; Risk factors