Radon Exposure Linked to Increased Stroke Risk, Study Finds

Research reveals elevated stroke risk even at radon levels below current EPA mitigation recommendations, suggesting a need for revised guidelines.

Radon exposure, even at moderate levels, has been linked to an increased risk of stroke, according to a new study.
The study involved 158,910 female participants with an average age of 63 who did not have stroke at the start of the study. They were followed for an average of 13 years.
The study found an increased risk of stroke among participants exposed to radon above -- and as many as two picocuries per liter (pCi/L) below -- concentrations that usually trigger Environmental Protection Agency recommendations to install a home radon mitigation system.
In the group with the highest radon exposures, there were 349 strokes per 100,000 person-years compared to 343 strokes in the middle group and 333 strokes in group with the lowest exposure.
More studies are needed to confirm these findings. Confirmation would present an opportunity to improve public health by addressing an emerging risk factor for stroke.