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Maier A, Bailey T, Hinrichs A, Lerchl S, Newman RT, Fournier C, Vandevoorde C. Experimental Setups for In Vitro Studies on Radon Exposure in Mammalian Cells-A Critical Overview. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20095670. [PMID: 37174189 PMCID: PMC10178159 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring radon and its short lived progeny are the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and the main risk factor for non-smokers. The radon progeny, mainly Polonium-218 (218Po) and Polonium-214 (214Po), are responsible for the highest dose deposition in the bronchial epithelium via alpha-decay. These alpha-particles release a large amount of energy over a short penetration range, which results in severe and complex DNA damage. In order to unravel the underlying biological mechanisms which are triggered by this complex DNA damage and eventually give rise to carcinogenesis, in vitro radiobiology experiments on mammalian cells have been performed using radon exposure setups, or radon analogues, which mimic alpha-particle exposure. This review provides an overview of the different experimental setups, which have been developed and used over the past decades for in vitro radon experiments. In order to guarantee reliable results, the design and dosimetry of these setups require careful consideration, which will be emphasized in this work. Results of these in vitro experiments, particularly on bronchial epithelial cells, can provide valuable information on biomarkers, which can assist to identify exposures, as well as to study the effects of localized high dose depositions and the heterogeneous dose distribution of radon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Maier
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Tarryn Bailey
- Department of Physics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Cape Town 7600, South Africa
- Radiation Biophysics Division, Separated Sector Cyclotron Laboratory, NRF-iThemba LABS, Cape Town 7129, South Africa
| | - Annika Hinrichs
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
- Physics Department, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Sylvie Lerchl
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Richard T Newman
- Department of Physics, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, Cape Town 7600, South Africa
| | - Claudia Fournier
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Charlot Vandevoorde
- Biophysics Department, GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH, 64291 Darmstadt, Germany
- Radiation Biophysics Division, Separated Sector Cyclotron Laboratory, NRF-iThemba LABS, Cape Town 7129, South Africa
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Turhan Ş, Kurnaz A, Karataşlı M. Evaluation of natural radioactivity levels and potential radiological hazards of common building materials utilized in Mediterranean region, Turkey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:10575-10584. [PMID: 34523102 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16505-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Radiometric measurement of building materials is very important to assess the internal and external exposure caused by the ionizing radiation emitted from terrestrial radionuclides in building materials. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in fifty-eight samples of fifteen different structural and covering building materials commonly used in Osmaniye province located in the Mediterranean region of Turkey were measured by using gamma-ray spectroscopy. The activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K varied from 2.5 ± 0.1 (marble) to 145.7 ± 4.4 (clay brick), 1.3 ± 0.1 (marble) to 154.3 ± 4.1 (marble), and 8.6 ± 0.2 (sand) to 1044.1 ± 70.3 (granite), respectively. Radiological parameters (activity concentration index, alpha index, indoor absorbed gamma dose rate and the corresponding annual effective dose rate, and excess lifetime cancer risk) were estimated to evaluate the health hazards associated with these building materials. Since the estimated values of these parameters are within the recommended safety limits or criteria values, the use of the studied building materials in the construction of dwellings can be considered to be safe for the residents of the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Şeref Turhan
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Letters, Kastomunu University, 37150, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Asli Kurnaz
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Letters, Kastomunu University, 37150, Kastamonu, Turkey.
| | - Muhammet Karataşlı
- Department of Electronics and Communication, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Beykent University, Sarıyer, İstanbul, Turkey
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Yakhdani MF, Jalili M, Salehi-Abargouei A, Mirzaei M, Rahimdel A, Ebrahimi AA. Interaction of MS prevalence, radon gas concentration, and patient nutrition: a case-control study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17906. [PMID: 34504114 PMCID: PMC8429741 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-96816-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In general, ecological findings indicate a positive correlation between MS and the intake of certain foods. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between radon (Rn) gas concentration and nutrition of patients in food groups with MS. Demographic information, diet, and building characteristics were collected by a questionnaire. Indoors Rn gas was measured using CR-39 detectors. Three models were used in the study of food intake. The interaction analysis between MS prevalence, diet, residential building characteristics, and Rn gas content was performed using SPSS 2020. The total Rn was significantly associated with cooling devices (P = 0.021). Buildings > 20 years had higher Rn concentrations than buildings < 20 years (P = 0.038). Also, no significant relationship was found between Rn-total and MS concentrations, but the total Rn concentration was higher in people homes with MS. Case group used more processed meat than the control (P < 0.001). The case group consumed more butter than the control, which was significant in Model III (P < 0.04). Tomato consumption in the case group was significantly higher than the control (P < 0.03). According to the results there was no interaction between Rn gas concentration in any of the food groups in each cases. However, future studies with larger sample sizes will be needed prospectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monire Fallah Yakhdani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mahrokh Jalili
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Amin Salehi-Abargouei
- Nutrition and Food Security Research Center, Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Masuod Mirzaei
- Department of Epidemiology, Centre for Healthcare Data Modeling, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Abolghasem Rahimdel
- Department of Neurology, Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Ebrahimi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Environmental Science and Technology Research Center, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
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Abstract
Fundamental estimates of radon-associated health risk have been provided by epidemiological studies of miners. In total, approximately 15 studies have been conducted worldwide since the 1960s. These results have contributed directly to radiological protection against radon. The present article summarises the main results, with a focus on analyses of miners exposed more recently, estimates of radon lifetime attributable risk, and interaction between radon and smoking. The potential for the upcoming Pooled Uranium Miner Analysis project to further improve our knowledge is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Laurier
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, 92262 Fontenay aux Roses Cedex, France; e-mail:
| | | | - E Rage
- Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety, 92262 Fontenay aux Roses Cedex, France; e-mail:
| | - L Tomasek
- National Radiation Protection Institute, Czech Republic
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5
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Semenova Y, Pivina L, Zhunussov Y, Zhanaspayev M, Chirumbolo S, Muzdubayeva Z, Bjørklund G. Radiation-related health hazards to uranium miners. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2020; 27:34808-34822. [PMID: 32638305 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-09590-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Concerns on health effects from uranium (U) mining still represent a major issue of debate. Any typology of active job in U mines is associated with exposure to U and its decay products, such as radon (Rn), thorium (Th), and radium (Ra) and its decay products with alpha-emission and gamma radiation. Health effects in U miners have been investigated in several cohort studies in the USA, Canada, Germany, the Czech Republic, and France. While public opinion is particularly addressed to pay attention to the safety of nuclear facilities, health hazard associated with mining is poorly debated. According to the many findings from cohort studies, the most significant positive dose-response relationship was found between occupational U exposure and lung cancer. Other types of tumors associated with occupational U exposure are leukemia and lymphoid cancers. Furthermore, it was found increased but not statistically significant death risk in U miners due to cancers in the liver, stomach, and kidneys. So far, there has not been found a significant association between U exposure and increased cardiovascular mortality in U miners. This review tries to address the current state of the art of these studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliya Semenova
- Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
- CONEM Kazakhstan Environmental Health and Safety Research Group, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | - Lyudmila Pivina
- Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
- CONEM Kazakhstan Environmental Health and Safety Research Group, Semey Medical University, Semey, Kazakhstan
| | | | | | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
- CONEM Scientific, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (CONEM), Toften 24, 8610, Mo i Rana, Norway.
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Kelly-Reif K, Sandler DP, Shore D, Schubauer-Berigan MK, Troester MA, Nylander-French L, Richardson DB. Radon and cancer mortality among underground uranium miners in the Příbram region of the Czech Republic. Am J Ind Med 2020; 63:859-867. [PMID: 33448434 PMCID: PMC8256848 DOI: 10.1002/ajim.23167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aims to estimate the association between radon and site-specific cancer mortality among a large contemporary cohort of male uranium miners. METHODS Annual occupational radon exposure was estimated based on a worker's duration of underground mining in a year and estimates of potential alpha energy of radon progeny in their location of work. Cancer mortality over the period 1977-1992 was ascertained for a cohort of 16 434 male underground uranium miners employed in the Czech Republic between 1946 and 1992. Poisson regression was used to estimate relationships between cumulative radiation exposure (in working level months [WLM]) and site-specific cancer mortality. RESULTS Radon is positively associated with lung cancer mortality (excess relative rate [ERR] per 100 WLM = 0.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.10, 0.37). The best fit of the dose-response relationship between radon and lung cancer mortality was linear and estimates of radon-lung cancer associations varied by windows of time-since-exposure. Positive associations between radon and several types of cancer other than lung cancer were identified, notably chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) (ERR/100 WLM = 0.24; 95% CI: [not determined [ND], 5.10]) and extrathoracic cancer (ERR/100 WLM = 0.12; 95% CI: [ND, 0.69]). We observed no associations between radon and stomach cancer, nor between radon and several hematopoietic cancer subtypes. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the established radon-lung cancer association and suggests that radon may also be associated with other types of cancer mortality. Further investigations of extrathoracic and CLL cancer, with the aim of obtaining more precise estimates, are warranted to understand associations between radon and cancers other than lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlin Kelly-Reif
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Dale P Sandler
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle, North Carolina
| | - David Shore
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle, North Carolina
| | | | - Melissa A Troester
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Leena Nylander-French
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - David B Richardson
- Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Belloni M, Guihenneuc C, Rage E, Ancelet S. A Bayesian hierarchical approach to account for left-censored and missing radiation doses prone to classical measurement error when analyzing lung cancer mortality due to γ-ray exposure in the French cohort of uranium miners. RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2020; 59:423-437. [PMID: 32567014 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-020-00859-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological data on cohorts of occupationally exposed uranium miners are currently used to assess health risks associated with chronic exposure to low doses of ionizing radiation. Nevertheless, exposure uncertainty is ubiquitous and questions the validity of statistical inference in these cohorts. This paper highlights the flexibility and relevance of the Bayesian hierarchical approach to account for both missing and left-censored (i.e. only known to be lower than a fixed detection limit) radiation doses that are prone to measurement error, when estimating radiation-related risks. Up to the authors' knowledge, this is the first time these three sources of uncertainty are dealt with simultaneously in radiation epidemiology. To illustrate the issue, this paper focuses on the specific problem of accounting for these three sources of uncertainty when estimating the association between occupational exposure to low levels of γ-radiation and lung cancer mortality in the post-55 sub-cohort of French uranium miners. The impact of these three sources of dose uncertainty is of marginal importance when estimating the risk of death by lung cancer among French uranium miners. The corrected excess hazard ratio (EHR) is 0.81 per 100 mSv (95% credible interval: [0.28; 1.75]). Interestingly, even if the 95% credible interval of the corrected EHR is wider than the uncorrected one, a statistically significant positive association remains between γ-ray exposure and the risk of death by lung cancer, after accounting for dose uncertainty. Sensitivity analyses show that the results obtained are robust to different assumptions. Because of its flexible and modular nature, the Bayesian hierarchical models proposed in this work could be easily extended to account for high proportions of missing and left-censored dose values or exposure data, prone to more complex patterns of measurement error.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Belloni
- PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LEPID, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France.
| | - C Guihenneuc
- UR 7537, Faculté de Pharmacie de Paris, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - E Rage
- PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LEPID, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - S Ancelet
- PSE-SANTE/SESANE/LEPID, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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8
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Peters CE, Villeneuve PJ, Parent MÉ. Occupation as a predictor of prostate cancer screening behaviour in Canada. J Med Screen 2020; 27:215-222. [PMID: 32000565 DOI: 10.1177/0969141320902485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES If prostate cancer screening practices relate to occupation, this would have important implications when studying the aetiological role of workplace exposures on prostate cancer. We identified variations in screening by occupation among men in Montreal, Canada (2005-2012). METHODS Prostate specific antigen testing and digital rectal examination (ever-screened and frequency of screening, previous five years) were examined among population controls from the Prostate Cancer & Environment Study. Face-to-face interviews elicited lifestyle and occupational histories. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of ever-screening for the longest-held occupation, adjusting for potential confounders. Negative binomial models were used to examine relationships with screening frequency. RESULTS Among 1989 controls, 81% reported ever having had a prostate specific antigen test, and 77% a digital rectal examination. Approximately 40% of men reported having a prostate specific antigen test once a year, on average. Compared with those in management or administrative jobs, men in primary industry (odds ratio 0.26, 95% confidence interval 0.10-0.65), construction (0.44, 0.25-0.79), machining (0.45, 0.21-0.97), and teaching (0.37, 0.20-0.70) were less likely to have undergone prostate specific antigen screening. Results were similar when considering the most recent job. CONCLUSIONS Our findings highlight substantial variations in prostate cancer screening by occupation. Men in occupations where carcinogen exposures are more common are less likely to participate in prostate screening activities. This could be an important source of bias, and occupational studies of prostate cancer should account for screening practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl E Peters
- Department of Health Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada.,Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Université du Québec, Laval, Canada.,Department of Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research, Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Canada
| | - Paul J Villeneuve
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Marie-Élise Parent
- Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Université du Québec, Laval, Canada
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Alzimami K, Maghraby AM, Abo-Elmagd M. Radon levels and the expected population mortality in dwellings of Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia. JOURNAL OF RADIATION RESEARCH AND APPLIED SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jrras.2014.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- K. Alzimami
- Department of Radiological Sciences, King Saud University, PO Box 10219, Riyadh, 11433, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed M. Maghraby
- Physics Department, Faculty of Science and Humanities, Salman Bin AbdulAziz University, Al-kharj, Saudi Arabia
- National Inst. of Standards (NIS), Ionizing Radiation Metrology Laboratory, Tersa St., PO Box 136, Giza, 12211, Egypt
| | - M. Abo-Elmagd
- National Inst. of Standards (NIS), Ionizing Radiation Metrology Laboratory, Tersa St., PO Box 136, Giza, 12211, Egypt
- Medical Physics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
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Kreuzer M, Sobotzki C, Schnelzer M, Fenske N. Factors Modifying the Radon-Related Lung Cancer Risk at Low Exposures and Exposure Rates among German Uranium Miners. Radiat Res 2017; 189:165-176. [PMID: 29215327 DOI: 10.1667/rr14889.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
It is still not fully understood whether and how factors such as time, age and smoking modify the relationship between lung cancer and radon at low exposures and exposure rates. Improved knowledge is necessary for the dose conversion of radon in working level month (WLM) into effective dose, as currently discussed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP). An update of the German uranium miner cohort study (n = 58,974 men) with a 10-year extension of mortality follow-up (1946-2013) was used to further examine this issue. Internal Poisson regression was applied to estimate the excess relative risk (ERR) for lung cancer mortality per unit of cumulative radon exposure in WLM with exponential time-related effect modifiers. In the full cohort restricted to <100 WLM the estimated overall ERR/WLM was 0.006 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.003; 0.010] based on 1,254 lung cancer deaths and 1,620,190 person-years at risk. Both age at and time since exposure turned out to be important modifiers of the ERR/WLM and were included in the final model. Here, the ERR/WLM centered on age at exposure of 30 years, and 20 years since exposure was 0.016 (95% CI: 0.008; 0.028). This value decreased statistically significantly by approximately 40% and 60% for each 10-year increase in age at exposure and time since exposure, respectively. The joint effect of smoking and radon exposure was investigated in the sub-cohort of miners hired in 1960 or later, which includes data on smoking status. The centered ERR/WLM was slightly higher for non/light smokers compared to moderate/heavy smokers (0.022 versus 0.013). The current findings provide evidence for an increased lung cancer risk at low radon exposures or exposure rates that is modified by age and time. The observed risk is lower, but statistically compatible to those of other miner studies at low exposures or exposure rates. These findings reject an additive- and support a sub- to (supra-) multiplicative interaction between smoking and radon.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kreuzer
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Department of Radiation Protection and Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - C Sobotzki
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Department of Radiation Protection and Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - M Schnelzer
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Department of Radiation Protection and Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - N Fenske
- Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Department of Radiation Protection and Health, Neuherberg, Germany
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Bjørklund G, Christophersen OA, Chirumbolo S, Selinus O, Aaseth J. Recent aspects of uranium toxicology in medical geology. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2017; 156:526-533. [PMID: 28431380 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2017] [Revised: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 04/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Uranium (U) is a chemo-toxic, radiotoxic and even a carcinogenic element. Due to its radioactivity, the effects of U on humans health have been extensively investigated. Prolonged U exposure may cause kidney disease and cancer. The geological distribution of U radionuclides is still a great concern for human health. Uranium in groundwater, frequently used as drinking water, and general environmental pollution with U raise concerns about the potential public health problem in several areas of Asia. The particular paleo-geological hallmark of India and other Southern Asiatic regions enhances the risk of U pollution in rural and urban communities. This paper highlights different health and environmental aspects of U as well as uptake and intake. It discusses levels of U in soil and water and the related health issues. Also described are different issues of U pollution, such as U and fertilizers, occupational exposure in miners, use and hazards of U in weapons (depleted U), U and plutonium as catalysts in the reaction between DNA and H2O2, and recycling of U from groundwater to surface soils in irrigation. For use in medical geology and U research, large databases and data warehouses are currently available in Europe and the United States.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | | | - Salvatore Chirumbolo
- Department of Neurological and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Olle Selinus
- Department of Biology and Environmental Science, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden
| | - Jan Aaseth
- Innlandet Hospital Trust and Hedmark University of Applied Sciences, Elverum, Norway
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12
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The social costs of uranium mining in the US Colorado Plateau cohort, 1960–2005. Int J Public Health 2017; 62:471-478. [DOI: 10.1007/s00038-017-0943-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
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13
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Müller WU, Giussani A, Rühm W, Lecomte JF, Harrison J, Kreuzer M, Sobotzki C, Breckow J. Current knowledge on radon risk: implications for practical radiation protection? radon workshop, 1/2 December 2015, Bonn, BMUB (Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Naturschutz, Bau und Reaktorsicherheit; Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety). RADIATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOPHYSICS 2016; 55:267-80. [PMID: 27334644 PMCID: PMC4951500 DOI: 10.1007/s00411-016-0657-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
ICRP suggested a strategy based on the distinction between a protection approach for dwellings and one for workplaces in the previous recommendations on radon. Now, the Commission recommends an integrated approach for the protection against radon exposure in all buildings irrespective of their purpose and the status of their occupants. The strategy of protection in buildings, implemented through a national action plan, is based on the application of the optimisation principle below a derived reference level in concentration (maximum 300 Bq m(-3)). A problem, however, arises that due to new epidemiological findings and application of dosimetric models, ICRP 115 (Ann ICRP 40, 2010) presents nominal probability coefficients for radon exposure that are approximately by a factor of 2 larger than in the former recommendations of ICRP 65 (Ann ICRP 23, 1993). On the basis of the so-called epidemiological approach and the dosimetric approach, the doubling of risk per unit exposure is represented by a doubling of the dose coefficients, while the risk coefficient of ICRP 103 (2007) remains unchanged. Thus, an identical given radon exposure situation with the new dose coefficients would result in a doubling of dose compared with the former values. This is of serious conceptual implications. A possible solution of this problem was presented during the workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang-Ulrich Müller
- />Institut für Medizinische Strahlenbiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, 45122 Essen, Germany
| | - Augusto Giussani
- />Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Werner Rühm
- />Institute of Radiation Protection, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jean-Francois Lecomte
- />Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, International Affaires Directorate, P.O. Box 17, 92262 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - John Harrison
- />Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP UK
| | - Michaela Kreuzer
- />Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Christina Sobotzki
- />Federal Office for Radiation Protection, Ingolstädter Landstr. 1, 85764 Oberschleissheim, Germany
| | - Joachim Breckow
- />Institute of Medical Physics and Radiation Protection, THM University of Applied Sciences, 35390 Giessen, Germany
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Kitahara CM, Linet MS, Rajaraman P, Ntowe E, Berrington de González A. A New Era of Low-Dose Radiation Epidemiology. Curr Environ Health Rep 2016; 2:236-49. [PMID: 26231501 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-015-0055-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The last decade has introduced a new era of epidemiologic studies of low-dose radiation facilitated by electronic record linkage and pooling of cohorts that allow for more direct and powerful assessments of cancer and other stochastic effects at doses below 100 mGy. Such studies have provided additional evidence regarding the risks of cancer, particularly leukemia, associated with lower-dose radiation exposures from medical, environmental, and occupational radiation sources, and have questioned the previous findings with regard to possible thresholds for cardiovascular disease and cataracts. Integrated analysis of next generation genomic and epigenetic sequencing of germline and somatic tissues could soon propel our understanding further regarding disease risk thresholds, radiosensitivity of population subgroups and individuals, and the mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis. These advances in low-dose radiation epidemiology are critical to our understanding of chronic disease risks from the burgeoning use of newer and emerging medical imaging technologies, and the continued potential threat of nuclear power plant accidents or other radiological emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cari M Kitahara
- Radiation Epidemiology Branch, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, 9609 Medical Center Drive, Rm 7E566, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA,
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15
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Hunter N, Muirhead CR, Bochicchio F, Haylock RGE. Calculation of lifetime lung cancer risks associated with radon exposure, based on various models and exposure scenarios. JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR RADIOLOGICAL PROTECTION 2015; 35:539-55. [PMID: 26083042 DOI: 10.1088/0952-4746/35/3/539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The risk of lung cancer mortality up to 75 years of age due to radon exposure has been estimated for both male and female continuing, ex- and never-smokers, based on various radon risk models and exposure scenarios. We used risk models derived from (i) the BEIR VI analysis of cohorts of radon-exposed miners, (ii) cohort and nested case-control analyses of a European cohort of uranium miners and (iii) the joint analysis of European residential radon case-control studies. Estimates of the lifetime lung cancer risk due to radon varied between these models by just over a factor of 2 and risk estimates based on models from analyses of European uranium miners exposed at comparatively low rates and of people exposed to radon in homes were broadly compatible. For a given smoking category, there was not much difference in lifetime lung cancer risk between males and females. The estimated lifetime risk of radon-induced lung cancer for exposure to a concentration of 200 Bq m(-3) was in the range 2.98-6.55% for male continuing smokers and 0.19-0.42% for male never-smokers, depending on the model used and assuming a multiplicative relationship for the joint effect of radon and smoking. Stopping smoking at age 50 years decreases the lifetime risk due to radon by around a half relative to continuing smoking, but the risk for ex-smokers remains about a factor of 5-7 higher than that for never-smokers. Under a sub-multiplicative model for the joint effect of radon and smoking, the lifetime risk of radon-induced lung cancer was still estimated to be substantially higher for continuing smokers than for never smokers. Radon mitigation-used to reduce radon concentrations at homes-can also have a substantial impact on lung cancer risk, even for persons in their 50 s; for each of continuing smokers, ex-smokers and never-smokers, radon mitigation at age 50 would lower the lifetime risk of radon-induced lung cancer by about one-third. To maximise risk reductions, smokers in high-radon homes should both stop smoking and remediate their homes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nezahat Hunter
- Public Health England, Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ, UK
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16
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Lei JC, Hou CJ, Huo DQ, Luo XG, Bao MZ, Li X, Yang M, Fa HB. A novel device based on a fluorescent cross-responsive sensor array for detecting lung cancer related volatile organic compounds. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2015; 86:025106. [PMID: 25725887 DOI: 10.1063/1.4907628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, a novel, simple, rapid, and low-cost detection device for lung cancer related Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) was constructed. For this task, a sensor array based on cross-responsive mechanism was designed. A special gas chamber was made to insure sensor array exposed to VOCs sufficiently and evenly, and FLUENT software was used to simulate the performance of the gas chamber. The data collection and processing system was used to detect fluorescent changes of the sensor arrays before and after reaction, and to extract unique patterns of the tested VOCs. Four selected VOCs, p-xylene, styrene, isoprene, and hexanal, were detected by the proposed device. Unsupervised pattern recognition methods, hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis, were used to analyze data. The results showed that the methods could 100% discriminate the four VOCs. What is more, combined with artificial neural network, the correct rate of quantitative detection was up to 100%, and the device obtained responses at concentrations below 50 ppb. In conclusion, the proposed detection device showed excellent selectivity and discrimination ability for the VOCs related to lung cancer. Furthermore, our preliminary study demonstrated that the proposed detection device has brilliant potential application for early clinical diagnosis of lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-can Lei
- Postdoctoral Station of Science and Technology of Instrumentation, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Chang-jun Hou
- Key Laboratory of Biorheology Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Dan-qun Huo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheology Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xiao-gang Luo
- Key Laboratory of Biorheology Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Ming-ze Bao
- Key Laboratory of Biorheology Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Xian Li
- Key Laboratory of Biorheology Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Mei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Biorheology Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
| | - Huan-bao Fa
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
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17
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Wilson J, Zuniga MC, Yazzie F, Stearns DM. Synergistic cytotoxicity and DNA strand breaks in cells and plasmid DNA exposed to uranyl acetate and ultraviolet radiation. J Appl Toxicol 2014; 35:338-49. [PMID: 24832689 DOI: 10.1002/jat.3015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2013] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Depleted uranium (DU) has a chemical toxicity that is independent of its radioactivity. The purpose of this study was to explore the photoactivation of uranyl ion by ultraviolet (UV) radiation as a chemical mechanism of uranium genotoxicity. The ability of UVB (302 nm) and UVA (368 nm) radiation to photoactivate uranyl ion to produce single strand breaks was measured in pBR322 plasmid DNA, and the presence of adducts and apurinic/apyrimidinic sites that could be converted to single strand breaks by heat and piperidine was analyzed. Results showed that DNA lesions in plasmid DNA exposed to UVB- or UVA-activated DU were only slightly heat reactive, but were piperidine sensitive. The cytotoxicity of UVB-activated uranyl ion was measured in repair-proficient and repair-deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells and human keratinocyte HaCaT cells. The cytotoxicity of co-exposures of uranyl ion and UVB radiation was dependent on the order of exposure and was greater than co-exposures of arsenite and UVB radiation. Uranyl ion and UVB radiation were synergistically cytotoxic in cells, and cells exposed to photoactivated DU required different DNA repair pathways than cells exposed to non-photoactivated DU. This study contributes to our understanding of the DNA lesions formed by DU, as well as their repair. Results suggest that excitation of uranyl ion by UV radiation can provide a pathway for uranyl ion to be chemically genotoxic in populations with dermal exposures to uranium and UV radiation, which would make skin an overlooked target organ for uranium exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice Wilson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
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Blaurock-Busch E, Busch YM, Friedle A, Buerner H, Parkash C, Kaur A. Comparing the metal concentration in the hair of cancer patients and healthy people living in the malwa region of punjab, India. Clin Med Insights Oncol 2014; 8:1-13. [PMID: 24453505 PMCID: PMC3891755 DOI: 10.4137/cmo.s13410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2013] [Revised: 11/17/2013] [Accepted: 11/21/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The cancer prevalence in the Malwa region of Punjab (1089/million/year) is much higher than the national average cancer prevalence in India (800/million/year). The participants in the present study were 50 healthy individuals and 49 cancer patients all living in the Malwa region of Punjab, with the healthy people being selected from the same household as the cancer patients. High concentrations of several potentially toxic elements were found in hair samples from people living in Punjab. Compared to standard reference ranges, the metals in excess in both the control and patient groups were aluminium (Al), barium (Ba), manganese (Mn), strontium (Sr) and uranium (U). The most significant findings were high lead (Pb), U and Ba concentrations. The maximum values for Ba, Mn, Pb and U were found in hair from breast cancer patients. The mean concentration of U in hair from the breast cancer patients was 0.63 μg U/g, which is more than double the value found in the control group and over six times higher than the reference range of 0.1 μg U/g. Water, soil, and phosphate fertilizers all seem to play a potential role, causing an increased metal burden in Punjabi people living in the Malwa region. The present study indicates that metals, and especially U, may be a factor in the development of breast cancer among Punjabi women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Holger Buerner
- Trace Minerals International, Colorado, USA
- Micro Trace Minerals, Hersbruck, Germany
| | | | - Anudeep Kaur
- Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala, Punjab, India
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Wilson J, Young A, Civitello ER, Stearns DM. Analysis of heat-labile sites generated by reactions of depleted uranium and ascorbate in plasmid DNA. J Biol Inorg Chem 2013; 19:45-57. [PMID: 24218036 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-013-1057-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Accepted: 10/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to characterize how depleted uranium (DU) causes DNA damage. Procedures were developed to assess the ability of organic and inorganic DNA adducts to convert to single-strand breaks (SSB) in pBR322 plasmid DNA in the presence of heat or piperidine. DNA adducts formed by methyl methanesulfonate, cisplatin, and chromic chloride were compared with those formed by reaction of uranyl acetate and ascorbate. Uranyl ion in the presence of ascorbate produced U-DNA adducts that converted to SSB on heating. Piperidine, which acted on DNA methylated by methyl methanesulfonate to convert methyl-DNA adducts to SSB, served in the opposite fashion as U-DNA adducts by decreasing the level of SSB. The observation that piperidine also decreased the gel shift for metal-DNA adducts formed by monofunctional cisplatin and chromic chloride was interpreted to suggest that piperidine served to remove U-DNA adducts. Radical scavengers did not affect the formation of uranium-induced SSB, suggesting that SSB arose from the presence of U-DNA adducts and not from the presence of free radicals. A model is proposed to predict how U-DNA adducts may serve as initial lesions that convert to SSB or AP sites. The results suggest that DU can act as a chemical genotoxin that does not require radiation for its mode of action. Characterizing the DNA lesions formed by DU is necessary to assess the relative importance of different DNA lesions in the formation of DU-induced mutations. Understanding the mechanisms of formation of DU-induced mutations may contribute to identification of biomarkers of DU exposure in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janice Wilson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Northern Arizona University, PO Box 5698, Flagstaff, AZ, 86011-5698, USA
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