Radon exposure—therapeutic effect and cancer risk

Maier A, Wiedemann J, Rapp F, Papenfuß F, Rödel F, Hehlgans S, Gaipl U, Kraft G, Fournier C, Frey B (2021)

Publication Type: Journal article, Review article

Publication year: 2021

Journal

International Journal of Molecular Sciences MDPI

Book Volume: 22

Pages Range: 1-13

Article Number: 316

Journal Issue: 1

DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010316

Abstract

Largely unnoticed, all life on earth is constantly exposed to low levels of ionizing radia-tion. Radon, an imperceptible natural occurring radioactive noble gas, contributes as the largest sin-gle fraction to radiation exposure from natural sources. For that reason, radon represents a major issue for radiation protection. Nevertheless, radon is also applied for the therapy of inflammatory and degenerative diseases in galleries and spas to many thousand patients a year. In either case, chronic environmental exposure or therapy, the effect of radon on the organism exposed is still under investigation at all levels of interaction. This includes the physical stage of diffusion and energy deposition by radioactive decay of radon and its progeny and the biological stage of initiating and propagating a physiologic response or inducing cancer after chronic exposure. The purpose of this manuscript is to comprehensively review the current knowledge of radon and its progeny on physical background, associated cancer risk and potential therapeutic effects.

Authors with CRIS profile

Udo Gaipl Department of Radiation Oncology Benjamin Frey Department of Radiation Oncology

Involved external institutions

GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt am Main (KGU) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Maier, A., Wiedemann, J., Rapp, F., Papenfuß, F., Rödel, F., Hehlgans, S.,... Frey, B. (2021). Radon exposure—therapeutic effect and cancer risk. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22010316

MLA:

Maier, Andreas, et al. "Radon exposure—therapeutic effect and cancer risk." International Journal of Molecular Sciences 22.1 (2021): 1-13.

BibTeX: Download