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<p>Radon (<sup>222</sup>Rn), a decay product of uranium (<sup>238</sup>U), is a colourless, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas in the Earth’s crust. Based on epidemiological studies, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified radon as a human carcinogen and a second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. This study aimed to critically evaluate the existing knowledge on radon exposure and its carcinogenic effects within the South African population. A literature search of past research works was conducted on ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The review spanned twenty years, and articles on radon published from 2005 to 2025. Data on radon were collected from five provinces, while the KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape provinces showed no records of radon monitoring. Findings revealed that the average radon concentrations across the provinces were 170.15 ± 52.88, 931.11 ± 185.37, 751 ± 354&#xa0;Bq/m<sup>3</sup> and 49.08 ± 4.98&#xa0;Bq/L, for indoor &amp; outdoor radon, and radon in caves &amp; water, respectively. These values exceeded the reference levels of 100&#xa0;Bq/m<sup>3</sup> and the maximum permissible limit of 300&#xa0;Bq/m<sup>3</sup> as recommended by the WHO. This review reports that there is a paucity of data that clearly links radon with lung cancer in the South African communities. As the country lacks a unified epidemiological dataset on radon, existing evidence is limited to scattered regional and mining studies. In conclusion, the review has identified effective mitigation strategies, including active soil depressurisation systems, increased natural or mechanical ventilation, and retrofitting older buildings, to reduce radon-induced cancer risks in South Africa.</p>

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A review of radon and its carcinogenic effects in the South African population

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月18日

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  • Idowu Richard Akomolafe,
  • Naven Chetty

摘要

Radon (222Rn), a decay product of uranium (238U), is a colourless, odourless and tasteless radioactive gas in the Earth’s crust. Based on epidemiological studies, the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified radon as a human carcinogen and a second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. This study aimed to critically evaluate the existing knowledge on radon exposure and its carcinogenic effects within the South African population. A literature search of past research works was conducted on ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. The review spanned twenty years, and articles on radon published from 2005 to 2025. Data on radon were collected from five provinces, while the KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape provinces showed no records of radon monitoring. Findings revealed that the average radon concentrations across the provinces were 170.15 ± 52.88, 931.11 ± 185.37, 751 ± 354 Bq/m3 and 49.08 ± 4.98 Bq/L, for indoor & outdoor radon, and radon in caves & water, respectively. These values exceeded the reference levels of 100 Bq/m3 and the maximum permissible limit of 300 Bq/m3 as recommended by the WHO. This review reports that there is a paucity of data that clearly links radon with lung cancer in the South African communities. As the country lacks a unified epidemiological dataset on radon, existing evidence is limited to scattered regional and mining studies. In conclusion, the review has identified effective mitigation strategies, including active soil depressurisation systems, increased natural or mechanical ventilation, and retrofitting older buildings, to reduce radon-induced cancer risks in South Africa.