Lung cancer risks due to the radon in cigarette tobacco

Abstract

Thirty-one tobacco samples were evaluated for the activity concentrations of radon and radium using solid-state nuclear track detectors (CR-39). The detectors were exposed for a period of 150 days to different types of cigarette tobacco. The highest values of 364 Bq m^–3 for radon and 31.4 Bq kg^–1 for radium were obtained for MIA2 sample, and the lowest values of 20.2 Bq m^–3 for radon and 1.74 Bq kg^–1 for radium, for SUM sample. According to the estimate, this range of radon levels corresponds to the lung cancer incidence in the range 22–396 cases per million smoker per year. The annual effective dose in general and for lungs in particular, the surface and mass exhalation rate, the equivalent equilibrium concentration of radon, and absorbed dose to tissues and lungs were calculated. The highest values were obtained for MIA2 sample, and the lowest values, for SUM sample.