North Carolina Radon Program Is Coordinating Two Research Efforts
Contributed by Phillip Ray Gibson
The NC Radon Program is coordinating two research efforts to be conducted by two separate NC research institutions, Wake Forest School of Medicine and Duke Cancer Institute. Both have been funded and are beginning this month. The following are summaries and the contacts for each research project.
Wake Forest Research Summary
Funding: Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center (WFBCC) Pilot Funding
Timeline:6/1/2022 to 11/30/2023
Title: Spatial Mapping of Lung Cancer Hot-Spots, Health Disparities and Contributing Environmental Factors
Project description: To assess the geographical distribution/variation, identify hotspots (clustering) of lung cancer incidences in the WFBCCC catchment area, and address health disparities in relation to specific environmental risk factors (Radon, Particulate matter 2.5, and Ground-level ozone).
Contact:
Sangeeta Singh, Ph.D.
Research Associate
Hanes # 4015, Department of Cancer Biology
Wake Forest School of Medicine
Medical Center Boulevard
Winston Salem, NC 27157
Duke Research Summary
Title: Role of Climate Change in Radon Exposure, Awareness and Lung Cancer Risk among Diverse Populations in North Carolina
Funding: Internal Duke research grant
Below is an excerpt from the grant proposal that describes the aims of the research.
To better understand the impact of climate change on radon-associated lung cancer, estimate the magnitude of disparities, and identify effective strategies to mitigate the current and projected risks of radon-associated lung cancer in the state, empirical studies are urgently needed to: 1) better characterize the impact of changing climate patterns on radon exposure among diverse NC residents; 2) generate robust estimates of current and projected radon-associated lung cancer risk in NC; 3) inform policy decisions on radon testing and mitigation; and 4) guide targeted radon awareness, testing, and mitigation programs among vulnerable communities in NC. Our proposed project will contribute significantly to advancing these goals with the following specific aims:
Aim 1: To estimate the magnitude of climate change impact on radon exposure levels in NC overall and by race/ethnicity and SDOH. We will use radon data from test kit manufacturers, in concert with primary data collection, to capture radon levels across NC in diverse populations. The effects of climate change on radon exposure will be modeled using data from the CDC, EPA, and NASA.
Aim 2: To estimate the current and predicted effects of radon exposure on lung cancer risk among NC residents between 2010 and 2050 accounting for changing radon levels related to climate change. We will analyze incident lung cancer data from the NC Cancer Registry and examine the predicted risks of radon- induced lung cancer, particularly among vulnerable populations defined by race/ethnicity and SDOH.
Aim 3: To estimate population attributable risks due to radon exposure on lung cancer (accounting for changing radon levels related to climate change) and the effect of radon mitigation. State-wide exposure to radon and risk estimates will be used to calculate the proportion of lung cancer cases attributable to current and projected levels of radon exposure in NC. Various mitigation strategies will be explored to estimate the number of preventable lung cancer cases over time.
Contact:
Tomi Akinyemiju, PhD, MS
Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion | Department of Population Health Sciences
Associate Director, Community Outreach, Engagement and Equity | Duke Cancer Institute
Associate Research Professor | Duke Global Health Institute
Duke University School of Medicine
215 Morris Street, Durham, NC 27708
E: tomi.akinyemiju@duke.edu | P: 919-613-5950
For information about the North Carolina Radon Program, contact:
Phillip Ray Gibson
NC Radon Program Coordinator
Division of Health Service Regulation, Radiation Protection Section
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
United States