Study Finds New Way to Estimate Long-Term Radon Exposure Using Toenails
A pilot study published in Environment International has revealed a promising method to estimate long-term radon exposure. The study, led by Dr. Richard L. Thompson and Dr. Emily J. Carter at the University of Calgary, involves measuring radioactive lead in toenails. This comes as a significant development, given that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoking.
Radon, an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas, can accumulate to high levels in homes, posing a substantial health risk. The body stores radioactive lead, a product of radon transformation, in slow-shedding tissues like skin, hair, and nails. The study aims to recruit 10,000 participants across Canada to test their homes for radon and submit toenail clippings for analysis. This innovative approach could expand lung cancer screening criteria to include those not typically eligible due to tobacco smoke history, as the study found that two in five lung cancer cases in Canada do not meet current screening inclusion criteria.
The University of Calgary study hopes to revolutionize how we assess long-term radon exposure and lung cancer risk. By utilizing toenails as an archive of past exposure to radioactive toxicants like radon gas, scientists can potentially expand lung cancer screening to a broader population, saving lives and improving public health.
