[RADONPROFESSIONALS] Lung cancer deaths from indoor radon and the cost effectiveness and potential of policies to reduce them

“Current policy identifying and remediating existing
homes with high radon levels is, however, neither cost effective
(cost per QALY gained £36 800) nor effective in reducing lung cancer
mortality.”  
 
 
Perhaps
the authors intended to say, not as cost effective and would not save as many
lives as RRNC ;).
 
 
http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/338/jan06_1/a3110
 
Lung cancer deaths from indoor radon and the cost effectiveness
and potential of policies to reduce them
Alastair Gray, professor of health economics1,
Simon Read,
analyst and programmer2,
Paul McGale,
statistician2,
Sarah Darby,
professor of medical
statistics2
1 Health
Economics Research Centre, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford,
Oxford OX3 7LF, 2 Clinical Trial Service Unit and Epidemiological
Studies Unit, University of Oxford
Correspondence to: A Gray alastair.gray@dphpc.ox.ac.uk
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
References
Objective To
determine the number of deaths from lung cancer related to radon in
the home and to explore the cost effectiveness of alternative
policies to control indoor radon and their potential to reduce lung
cancer mortality.
Design Cost
effectiveness analysis.
Setting United
Kingdom.
Data sources
Epidemiological data on risks from indoor radon and from smoking,
vital statistics on deaths from lung cancer, survey information on
effectiveness and costs of radon prevention and remediation.
Main outcome measures
Estimated number of deaths from lung cancer related to indoor radon,
lifetime risks of death from lung cancer before and after various
potential interventions to control radon, the cost per quality
adjusted life year (QALY) gained from different policies for control
of radon, and the potential of those policies to reduce lung cancer
mortality.
Results The
mean radon concentration in UK homes is 21 becquerels per cubic
metre (Bq/m3). Each year around 1100 deaths from lung cancer
(3.3% of all deaths from lung cancer) are related to radon in the
home. Over 85% of these arise from radon concentrations below 100
Bq/m3 and most are caused jointly by radon and active smoking.
Current policy requiring basic measures to prevent radon in new
homes in selected areas is highly cost effective, and such measures
would remain cost effective if extended to the entire UK, with a
cost per QALY gained of £11 400 ( 12
200; $16 913). Current policy identifying and remediating existing
homes with high radon levels is, however, neither cost effective
(cost per QALY gained £36 800) nor effective in reducing lung cancer
mortality.
Conclusions
Policies requiring basic preventive measures against radon in all
new homes throughout the UK would be cost effective and could
complement existing policies to reduce smoking. Policies involving
remedial work on existing homes with high radon levels cannot
prevent most radon related deaths, as these are caused by moderate
exposure in many homes. These conclusions are likely to apply to
most developed countries, many with higher mean radon concentrations
than the UK.
 
 
R. William Field, PHD, MS
Professor
Department of Occupational and
Environmental Health
Department of Epidemiology
College of Public Health
N222 Oakdale Hall
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
PH:319-335-4413
bill-field@uiowa.edu
 
 
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