It is well known that there
is a strong relationship between the smokers and the incidence and lung cancer fatality.
A US lung cancer mortality study indicated the mortality rate increased with
age and the number of fatalities from lung cancer among smokers increased very
significantly as compared to non-smokers.
Mortality rate per 100,000 person-years
Age group Non-smokers Smokers
55 – 59 y 5.3
206
60 – 64 y 11.6 361
65 – 69 y 21.5 581
70 – 74 y 34.9 909
It is indicated that
the incidence of lung cancer is more prevalent amongst the uranium miners who
are exposed to radon (radioactive gaseous decay product from uranium and thorium
series) and its decay products. The risk of incidence of lung cancer varies
with the different smoking habits. Studies have indicated that there is
enhancement (synergistic effect) in the lung cancer risk due to radon exposure
and the smoking habits of the exposed persons.
This means risk of lung
cancer resulting from unit radiation dose due to exposure to radon for people
who are smokers is substantially higher than that of people who never smoked.
Exposure to radon is
much more injurious to heath if you are a smoker.
