SELF-REPORTED RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS IN HEALTHY ADULTS WITH HIGH HOME RADON LEVELS Karen M. Butler*, DNP, RN, Whitney Hiner, Monica Mundy, Amanda Wiggins,
Kathy Rademacher, and Ellen J. Hahn
University of Kentucky College of Nursing, BREATHE
Lexington, KY, USA Karen.Butler@uky.edu
Abstract
The association between exposure to radon, tobacco smoke, and lung cancer is established; not as much is known about the immediate health effects of radon exposure. We examined the relationship between levels of radon and secondhand smoke (SHS) in the home and respiratory symptoms, controlling for smoking status and COPD diagnosis. The pilot study was a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 71 homeowners who had tested their homes for radon and SHS as part of a larger environmental risk reduction study. Of the 71 participants, 27 homes tested high for radon (
> 4.0 pCi/L); 44 tested high for SHS. Logistic regression showed that radon level was the only significant variable associated with presence of respiratory symptoms, controlling for smoking status and COPD diagnosis. This study adds important information to the literature and indicates that more research is needed to understand the immediate health effects of radon exposure.
