THE RELATIONSHIP OF RADON TO GASTROINTESTINAL MALIGNANCIES

Radon has known and well-studied carcinogenic effects on pulmonary epi thelium. The gastrointestinal tract has potential for radon exposure b y swallowed air and/or pulmonary secretions or contaminated drinking w ater. However, the relationship between radon and gastrointestinal mal ignancies is poorly documented. Therefore, the purpose of this study w as to investigate a potential relationship between radon levels and ga strointestinal malignancies within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. I n a retrospective analysis, the radon levels as reported by the Depart ment of Environmental Resources for each county in Pennsylvania were c ompared to the incidence and mortality of gastrointestinal cancer in P ennsylvania by county as reported by the Pennsylvania Tumor Registry f rom 1985 to 1989. The incidence and mortality of stomach, esophagus, c olon, pancreas, and rectal cancer was reported for male, female, and t otal county population and compared to radon levels for that county. U sing the NCSS computer package with P value set at 0.05, a positive co rrelation was found between radon levels and the incidence of stomach cancer in females, and the mortality of stomach cancer for male, femal e, and total population. This study suggests a relationship between ra don levels and gastric cancer mortality. Further investigation into th e role of radon carcinogenesis may be warranted.