Radon Exposure: A Comprehensive Review of the Health Risks and Therapeutic Potentials.
6 affiliations
- 1Laboratory of Radiation Medicine, West China School of Basic Medical Sciences & Forensic Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
- 2West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
- 3Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases, Department of Toxicology, School of Public Health, Medical College of Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China.
- 4Medical College of Tibet University, Lhasa 850000, China.
- 5Medical College of Key Laboratory of Drug-Targeting and Drug Delivery System of the Education Ministry, Sichuan Engineering Laboratory for Plant-Sourced Drug, and Sichuan Research Center for Drug Precision Industrial Technology, West China School of Pharmacy, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
- 6School of Medicine, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, China.
Abstract
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) and remains a significant environmental health hazard. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide, and lung cancer remains the only health outcome firmly established to be caused by radon exposure. Possible associations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hematological disorders, skin diseases, and other conditions remain under investigation. This review explores the broad spectrum of health risks associated with radon exposure, including its biological effects at histopathological, cellular, and molecular levels, with a focus on unique radiation effects such as the bystander effect and inverse dose-rate effect. Despite its harmful effects, radon has also been investigated for potential therapeutic effects under controlled exposure conditions, although the strength of clinical evidence varies across indications. Known as radon therapy, it has been investigated primarily for rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders, while evidence for neurological disorders and cancer-related applications remains largely experimental or limited. The biological mechanisms of radon therapy, including its regulation of oxidative stress, immune modulation, and redox balance, are discussed. The effects of radon on human health, whether harmful or therapeutic, are highly dependent on factors such as dose, exposure duration, and individual susceptibility. This review concludes by highlighting key areas for future research to refine our understanding of both the risks and therapeutic applications of radon.
Related
- Somatosensory Disturbance and Long‐Term Exposure to Methylmercury: A Comprehensive Review
- Gastric motility abnormalities in pediatric gastroesophageal reflux disease: A comprehensive review of mechanisms and therapeutic implications
- Emerging Therapeutic Strategies for Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Comprehensive Review of Recent Advances and Future Directions
- Curcumin, Resveratrol and Berberine as Emerging Therapeutic Agents in Treatment of Gliomas: A Comprehensive Review
- Potential risk of occupational exposure to respirable crystalline silica in Saudi Arabia: a comprehensive review of the current status and future challenges.
BibTeX
@article{jiang2026radon,
title = {{Radon Exposure: A Comprehensive Review of the Health Risks and Therapeutic Potentials.}},
author = {Fengdi Jiang and Yifan Liu and Xiaotao Xie and Mingyu Wang and Jian Tong and Bengui Ye and Jihua Nie and Shuyu Zhang},
journal = {Toxics},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/toxics14100912},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931699},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Radon Exposure: A Comprehensive Review of the Health Risks and Therapeutic Potentials.
AU - Fengdi Jiang
AU - Yifan Liu
AU - Xiaotao Xie
AU - Mingyu Wang
AU - Jian Tong
AU - Bengui Ye
AU - Jihua Nie
AU - Shuyu Zhang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - Toxics
DO - 10.3390/toxics14100912
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42931699
AB - Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization (WHO) and remains a significant environmental health hazard. Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer worldwide, and lung cancer remains the only health outcome firmly established to be caused by radon exposure. Possible associations with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hematological disorders, skin diseases, and other conditions remain under investigation. This review explores the broad spectrum of health risks associated with radon exposure, including its biological effects at histopathological, cellular, and molecular levels, with a focus on unique radiation effects such as the bystander effect and inverse dose-rate effect. Despite its harmful effects, radon has also been investigated for potential therapeutic effects under controlled exposure conditions, although the strength of clinical evidence varies across indications. Known as radon therapy, it has been investigated primarily for rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders, while evidence for neurological disorders and cancer-related applications remains largely experimental or limited. The biological mechanisms of radon therapy, including its regulation of oxidative stress, immune modulation, and redox balance, are discussed. The effects of radon on human health, whether harmful or therapeutic, are highly dependent on factors such as dose, exposure duration, and individual susceptibility. This review concludes by highlighting key areas for future research to refine our understanding of both the risks and therapeutic applications of radon.
SN - 2305-6304
ER -