Environmental Radon Exposure and Inflammatory Responses in Children and Adolescents: Evidence from a High-Radon...

Background/Objectives: Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and the leading source of natural radiation exposure worldwide; however, its systemic biological effects in children remain poorly understood. This study examined the association between cumulative indoor radon exposure and inflammatory biomarkers among children residing in rural communities of the Aqmola region in Kazakhstan. Methods: The study included 87 children and adolescents (42 exposed and 45 controls). Radon exposure was measured in residential and school environments, and a composite Radon Exposure Index (REI) was constructed to estimate cumulative exposure over time. Serum concentrations of inflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8), were measured using validated immunoassay methods. Multivariable linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, pubertal development stage, and heating type were used to evaluate associations between REI and biomarker levels. Results: Children and adolescents living in the radon-exposed community had significantly higher REI values than controls (7.75 ± 0.85 vs.4.83 ± 0.41, respectively). Among the biomarkers examined, CRP, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-8 and IL-6 were not significantly associated with radon exposure. Conclusions: These findings do not support the use of the evaluated inflammatory biomarkers as indicators of early biological effects of environmental radon exposure in this population. However, the clear exposure contrast observed between study settings underscores the ongoing public health relevance of radon as an environmental hazard. Continued efforts to monitor and mitigate radon exposure in high-risk regions remain essential, particularly in environments where children spend substantial amounts of time.