Handbook of Radon.

23. Radon as a public health issue: how important is it?

It is essential to keep the risks from radon in perspective. The risk from increased exposure to radon is essentially that death from lung cancer may occur some years before death from some other cause. However, the risks from radon are not large for non-smokers at the exposures likely to be found in the majority of houses in the UK, even those in Devon and Cornwall. In gauging the risks, it is helpful to consider major causes of death in the UK.

Over 600,000 people die in the UK each year. No amount of medical care could prevent this number of deaths: we all have to die sometime. But what can be prevented to some extent is premature death. A premature death is a death that could have been delayed, perhaps by an accident or illness not occurring, by more prompt diagnosis of illness, or by better medical care.

Out of the over 600,000 deaths in the UK each year, perhaps as many as 200,000 may be classed as premature. The exact number is not important here and cannot be known accurately. It is important to differentiate between avoidable premature death and deaths that, although premature, could not easily have been avoided. Many accidental deaths fall into this category.

The Table below shows major causes where there is some large element of 'preventability'. Alcohol misuse is included, as it plays a part in all the listed causes, except radon.

There are of course many other causes of death in the UK. However, the key fact is that with healthier living and more care on the roads more than 100,000 people could have their lives prolonged each year. Of course, if this were to be achieved (and it would take many decades), re-balancing would need to occur in actual causes of death, as the average annual total cannot alter.

In contrast, removing most of the radon from the 2,000 highest-level houses in the UK (those above 1000 Bq/m3) would reduce the number of calculated non-smoking radon deaths by perhaps 2 or 3. But many thousands of other cancers could be prevented, or cured if diagnosed soon enough. It is all a matter of money, priorities and education.

The Table below does not tell the whole story because it can be more logical to consider the number of years of life extension (rather than the number of lives extended). Thus, a premature death at age 10 is worth more effort to prevent than is one at age 75. Years of life lost (or saved) can be adjusted according to the quality of life during those years. This is the basis of the parameter "Quality Adjusted Life Year", used to assess whether expenditure is 'worthwhile' in one area as against another.

Cause of death               Number each year               Avoidable?

Circulatory diseases             300,000 +                         100,000

Cancer (all types)                  150,000 +                          50,000

Road accidents (all)                  5,500                                3,000

Road accidents (alcohol linked) 1,500                              1,500

Accidents in the home               5,500                                2,000

Radon (estimated)                    2,500                        between 2 and 50

KEY FACTS:

In terms of QALYs, radon is insignificant viewed in an overall perspective of avoidable detriment. It is important in respect of high specific risks in a few buildings. It remains a health problem with no effect on any environmental issue of wider concern.


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