Brain and red bone marrow dose coefficients for children and adults chronically exposed to radon as basis for brain tumor and leukemia risk analysis.

CONTEXT: Studies correlating radon exposure and incidence are inconclusive. However, despite the low estimated doses, a relationship between radon and brain tumors or leukemia may exist. To investigate the relationship between dose and the incidence, appropriate dose coefficients are needed.

OBJECTIVES

This manuscript aims to estimate absorbed dose coefficients integrated over small time periods and based on most recent biokinetic and dosimetric models for brain and red bone marrow for residential chronic intake of radon gas and progeny by children and adults.

METHODS

The exposure age intervals from 0 till 20 y and potential dose period from age 0 till 70 y were divided into small intervals and new dose coefficients for residential chronic intake of radon by children and adults were calculated for each interval considering changes in the anatomical and physiological parameters. The breathing rate was dynamically changed according to the age. For comparative purposes different equilibrium factors and daily time budgets were assumed to show differences in indoor and outdoor exposure scenarios.

RESULTS

The absorbed dose coefficients for brain and red bone marrow have been calculated and attached to this manuscript as supplemental data. The tables contain the dose coefficients for children and adults, for male and female. The contributions of different types of radiation are also given separately.

CONCLUSION

The new dose coefficients allow more detailed determination at any age of the dose to children and adults chronically exposed over periods of time of varying duration, and provide a reliable basis for cancer risk analysis.