%0 Journal Article
%T Epidemiologic Studies Cannot Reveal the True Shape of the Dose¨CResponse Relationship for Radon
%A Bobby R. Scott
%J Dose
%@ 1559-3258
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/1559325819828617
%X A long-standing controversy is the correct shape of the dose-response relationship for lung cancer induction by inhaled radon (eg, residential radon) at low levels. A probabilistic approach is used in this commentary to show that cohort and case-control epidemiologic studies cannot reveal the true shape of the dose-response relationship for radon-induced lung cancer. Using the indicated approach, it is found that while the dose response for radon-induced lung cancer is expected to be threshold-increasing, the dose-response curve for the cancer incidence when cancers caused by smoking and other carcinogens are included is expected to be threshold-decreasing (ie, threshold-hormetic), as low-level radon can protect from cancer induction by other carcinogens via stimulating the body¡¯s natural defenses against cancer. These defenses include DNA damage repair, removal of aberrant cells via apoptosis, suppression of cancer promoting inflammation, and anticancer immunity
%K lung cancer
%K radon
%K dose response
%K hormesis
%K LNT
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1559325819828617