Denman, A. R., Groves-Kirkby, C. and Crockett, R. (2020) Cost-effectiveness of radon remediation programmes in the UK in the 2020s. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 222 0265-931X.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | Radon, a gaseous radioactive decay product of naturally-occurring uranium is widely distributed in the environment in rocks and soils and, in certain circumstances, can accumulate in the built environment. Initial studies confirmed a direct link between exposure to both radon gas and its short-lived radioactive progeny, and increased lung-cancer incidence, and demonstrated that radon levels in domestic housing can be sufficiently high to expose occupants to increased risk of lung- cancer. Subsequent studies worldwide have shown that it is cost-effective to detect and reduce domestic radon levels in order to reduce this risk. Recent advances in the early detection of lung-cancer, coupled with the development of improved treatment procedures, have progressively improved survival from the disease, with the numbers surviving at 5 years doubling over recent years, during which period the real costs of lung cancer treatment have risen by around 30 %. In the meantime, however, in addition to radon and tobacco- smoke, other airborne pollutants have been identified as risk-factors for lung-cancer. This paper reviews both these actual developments and anticipated future trends, and concludes that since these advances in diagnosis and treatment of lung-cancer have had only a modest effect on cost- effectiveness, it is still important to conduct radon monitoring and remediation programmes. While the general increase in life-expectancy improves the cost-effectiveness of radon remediation programmes significantly, reducing tobacco-smoking incidence reduces that cost-effectiveness but with the overall benefit of reducing radon-related lung-cancers. The challenge remains of encouraging affected householders to remediate their homes to reduce radon levels. |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | /dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300 |
| Creators: | Denman, Anthony Roger, Groves-Kirkby, Chris and Crockett, Robin |
| Faculties, Divisions and Institutes: | ?? ASSCI ?? |
| Date: | October 2020 |
| Date Type: | Publication |
| Journal or Publication Title: | Journal of Environmental Radioactivity |
| Volume: | 222 |
| Number of Pages: | 8 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvrad.2020.106351 |
| ISSN: | 0265-931X |
| Status: | Published / Disseminated |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/id/eprint/13323 |
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