Is there any interaction between domestic radon exposure and air pollution from traffic in relation to childhood leukemia risk?

Background: In a recent population-based case-control study using 2,400 cases of childhood cancer, we found a statistically significant association between residential radon and acute lymphoblastic leukemia risk.

Hypothesis: Traffic exhaust in the air enhances the risk association between radon and childhood leukemia.

Methods: We included 985 cases of childhood leukemia and 1,969 control children.

Domestic radon and childhood cancer in Denmark.

Background: Higher incidence rates of childhood cancer and particularly leukemia have been observed in regions with higher radon levels, but case-control studies have given inconsistent results. We tested the hypothesis that domestic radon exposure increases the risk for childhood cancer.

Methods: We identified 2400 incident cases of leukemia, central nervous system tumor, and malignant lymphoma diagnosed in children between 1968 and 1994 in the Danish Cancer Registry.

Prediction of 222Rn in Danish dwellings using geology and house construction information from central databases.

A linear regression model has been developed for the prediction of indoor (222)Rn in Danish houses. The model provides proxy radon concentrations for about 21,000 houses in a Danish case-control study on the possible association between residential radon and childhood cancer (primarily leukaemia). The model was calibrated against radon measurements in 3116 houses.