Quantitative health impact of indoor radon in France.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Since the previous quantitative risk assessment of indoor radon conducted in France, input data have changed such as, estimates of indoor radon concentrations, lung cancer rates and the prevalence of tobacco consumption. The aim of this work was to update the risk assessment of lung cancer mortality attributable to indoor radon in France using recent risk models and data, improving the consideration of smoking, and providing results at a fine geographical scale. The data used were population data (2012), vital statistics on death from lung cancer (2008-2012), domestic radon exposure from a recent database that combines measurement results of indoor radon concentration and the geogenic radon potential map for France (2015), and smoking prevalence (2010). The risk model used was derived from a European epidemiological study, considering that lung cancer risk increased by 16% per 100 becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m3) indoor radon concentration. The estimated number of lung cancer deaths attributable to indoor radon exposure is about 3000 (1000; 5000), which corresponds to about 10% of all lung cancer deaths each year in France. About 33% of lung cancer deaths attributable to radon are due to exposure levels above 100 Bq/m3. Considering the combined effect of tobacco and radon, the study shows that 75% of estimated radon-attributable lung cancer deaths occur among current smokers, 20% among ex-smokers and 5% among never-smokers. It is concluded that the results of this study, which are based on precise estimates of indoor radon concentrations at finest geographical scale, can serve as a basis for defining French policy against radon risk.

[Risks associated to ionizing radiation from natural sources]. / Risques liés à l'exposition à la radioactivité naturelle.

This article presents an overview of current knowledge about natural sources of radiation exposure and potential associated health risks. Natural radioactivity constitutes the main source of exposure to ionizing radiation of the French and world population. Exposure is both external (telluric and cosmic rays) and internal (radon inhalation and ingestion of radionuclides from food and drinking water). It varies according to altitude, geology, and individual way of life (housing, food habits). Epidemiological studies demonstrated an excess risk of lung cancer associated to domestic radon exposure, ranking radon at the second place of known lung cancer risk factors after smoking. Data currently available do not allow concluding to risks associated to other natural sources of exposure to ionizing radiation.