Case-control study on lung cancer and residential radon in western Germany

Kreienbrock, L; Kreuzer, M; Gerken, M; Dingerkus, G; Wellmann, J; Keller, G; Wichmann, HE

HERO ID

2444123

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2001

Language

English

PMID

11159146

HERO ID 2444123
In Press No
Year 2001
Title Case-control study on lung cancer and residential radon in western Germany
Authors Kreienbrock, L; Kreuzer, M; Gerken, M; Dingerkus, G; Wellmann, J; Keller, G; Wichmann, HE
Journal American Journal of Epidemiology
Volume 153
Issue 1
Page Numbers 42-52
Abstract In a 1990-1996 case-control study in western Germany, the authors investigated lung cancer risk due to exposure to residential radon. Confirmed lung cancer cases from hospitals and a random sample of community controls were interviewed by trained interviewers regarding different risk factors. For 1 year, alpha track detectors were placed in dwellings to measure radon gas concentrations. The evaluation included 1,449 cases and 2,297 controls recruited from the entire study area and a subsample of 365 cases and 595 controls from radon-prone areas of the basic study region. Rate ratios were estimated by using conditional logistic regression adjusted for smoking and for asbestos exposure. In the entire study area, no rate ratios different from 1.0 were found; in the radon-prone areas, the adjusted rate ratios for exposure in the present dwelling were 1.59 (95% confidence interval (Cl): 1.08, 2.27), 1.93 (95% Cl: 1.19, 3.13), and 1.93 (95% Cl: 0.99, 3.77) for 50-80, 80-140, and >140 Bq/m(3), respectively, compared with 0-50 Bq/m(3). The excess rate ratio for an increase of 100 Bq/m(3) was 0.13 (-0.12 to 0.46). An analysis based on cumulative exposure produced similar results. The results provide additional evidence that residential radon is a risk factor for lung cancer, although a risk was detected in radon-prone areas only, not in the entire study area.
Doi 10.1093/aje/153.1.42
Pmid 11159146
Wosid WOS:000166185800008
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword case-control studies; lung neoplasms; radon; smoking