Residential Radon in Central and South America: A Systematic Review

Alexandra Giraldo-Osorio, Alberto Ruano-Ravina, Leonor Varela-Lema, Juan M. Barros-Dios and Mónica Pérez-Ríos
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Alexandra Giraldo-Osorio: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Alberto Ruano-Ravina: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Leonor Varela-Lema: Galician Health Technology Assessment Agency, Health Knowledge Management Agency ( Axencia de Coñecemento en Saúde/ACIS ), Galician Regional Health Authority, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Juan M. Barros-Dios: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Mónica Pérez-Ríos: Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-11

Abstract: Radon gas is a pulmonary carcinogen and the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. There are many countries that have not implemented measures to reduce the risk it poses to the general population. The aim of this study was to locate available evidence on exposure to residential radon and the regulations to monitor and control this across Central and South America, by conducting a review of the scientific literature and government documents in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. This review included 31 studies which had taken measurements of radon in these countries. While Brazil, Argentina, and Peru have undertaken most research, no country in Central and South America has a national map of exposure to residential radon. The prevalence of exposure to radon was uneven, both among the different countries and within individual countries. No country has regulations to prevent the entry of radon into homes, and nine countries have not set maximum permissible concentrations for residential radon. There is a limited number of studies in South and Central America, with a limited spatial coverage, and there is a need to improve knowledge on exposure to residential radon and its effects, and for governments to take the necessary actions to introduce preventive measures in their statutory regulations.

Keywords: radon; lung neoplasms; lung cancer risk in never-smokers; residential radon; natural radiation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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