Is radon linked to a health condition other than lung cancer?

January 5, 2024

Full press release from the American Academy of Neurology

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced when metals like uranium or radium break down in rocks and soil, is a known cause of lung cancer. Now new research has found exposure to high levels of this indoor air pollutant is associated with an increased risk of another condition in middle age to older female participants with ischemic stroke. The study was published in the Jan. 3 online issue of Neurology^®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Ischemic stroke is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the brain and is the most common type of stroke.

The condition, called clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), develops when some hematopoietic stem cells, the building blocks for all blood cells, undergo genetic mutations as a person ages. Cells with such mutations replicate more quickly than cells without them. Previous research has shown people with CHIP may have a higher risk of blood cancers like leukemia and cardiovascular disease including stroke.

Dr. Eric Whitsel

“Radon is a known mutagen, meaning it can cause genetic mutations,” said study author Eric A. Whitsel, MD, MPH, professor of epidemiology at the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health. “It is also a growing concern because this gas makes its way into homes, and exposure is increasing as modern construction practices make homes more airtight. We wanted to determine if exposures to high levels of radon are linked to this condition called CHIP, caused by genetic mutations in hematopoietic stem cells.”

The study involved 10,799 female participants with an average age of 67. Approximately half of participants had a stroke or blood clots.

To determine radon exposures, researchers linked participants’ home addresses to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data on average indoor radon concentrations by county. The EPA recommends that average indoor radon concentrations do not exceed four picocuries per liter (pCi/L).

Participants were divided into three groups. The highest group lived in areas where average radon concentrations were more than four pCi/L. The middle group lived in areas with average concentrations between two and four pCi/L. The lowest group lived in areas with average concentrations of less than two pCi/L.

Researchers then used genetic testing to determine which participants had mutations typical of CHIP. Researchers found that 9.0% of participants living in areas with the highest concentration of radon had CHIP, compared to 8.4% of those living in areas with medium concentrations and 7.7% of those living in areas with the lowest concentrations.

After adjusting for factors such as age, education, race and ethnicity, researchers found participants with ischemic stroke living in areas with the highest concentrations of radon had a 46% increased risk of CHIP, while those living in areas with medium concentrations had a 39% increased risk compared to those living in areas with the lowest concentrations of radon. Risk was not increased in participants without stroke.

“Although the results do not support an association between radon and CHIP among female participants overall, they do suggest an association between radon and CHIP among participants with ischemic stroke,” said Whitsel. “A reason for this association has yet to be confirmed. Future studies are needed to further explore possible links between radon exposure and stroke, especially since current public health screening and prevention efforts for radon focus only on lung cancer.”

A limitation of the study was that it only included female participants who were middle age or older, so the results may not be the same for other populations.

The study was funded by the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute and National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Learn more about stroke at BrainandLife.org, home of the American Academy of Neurology’s free patient and caregiver magazine focused on the intersection of neurologic disease and brain health.

The American Academy of Neurology is the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with 40,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit AAN.com.

Media contacts:

Natalie Conrad, nconrad@aan.com, (612) 928-6164

Renee Tessman, rtessman@aan.com, (612) 928-6137

Contact the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health communications team at sphcomm@unc.edu.