INFLUENCE OF AIRWAY GEOMETRY ON RADON RISK ASSESSMENT IN ADULTS AND CHILDREN (MICRODOSIMETRIC APPROACH)

Area of Science:

• Radiation physics
• Radiobiology
• Environmental health

Background:

• Alpha-emitting radon (Rn) progeny pose a significant risk for lung cancer development.
• Understanding the relationship between radiation dose, tissue depth, and cancer probability is crucial for risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of alpha-emitting radon progeny on lung cancer probability using a microdosimetric threshold energy model.
• To analyze how variations in protective lung tissue layers affect radiation-induced cancer risk.

Main Methods:

• Application of the microdosimetric threshold energy model.
• Simulation of alpha particle interactions within lung tissue at varying depths and protective layer thicknesses.

Main Results:

• Decreased surface layer thickness correlates with a multi-fold increase in radiation risk.
• Thicker mucus layers and deeper sensitive cells reduce radiation damage for a given dose.
• Lung development in children leads to age-dependent changes in mucus thickness and cell depth, altering radiation risk.

Conclusions:

• Lung tissue depth and protective layer thickness are critical factors modulating radiation risk from radon progeny.
• Children exhibit a substantially higher vulnerability to radiation-induced lung cancer compared to adults.
• The microdosimetric model provides valuable insights into age-specific radiation risks in the respiratory system.