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Indoor Radon Concentrations and Hematologic Traits in the Women's Health Initiative
Cuiran Shi1, Jason M Collins2, Ayesha Ekanayaka3
1Department of Biostatistics, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.)
|July 6, 2026
Summary
Radon exposure was linked to lower white blood cell counts and higher platelet counts in post-menopausal women. These findings suggest potential pro-thrombotic shifts, but their cardiovascular implications require further study.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Hematology
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
Background:
- Previous research in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) observed associations between radon exposure and increased risks of stroke and myocardial infarction (MI).
- Understanding the biological mechanisms linking radon to cardiovascular events is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between indoor radon concentrations and complete blood count (CBC) parameters.
- To explore potential hematological changes that may mediate radon's cardiovascular risks.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study of 154,630 post-menopausal women in the WHI, with data collected over 19 years.
- Indoor radon concentrations were estimated based on geocoded addresses and linked to the US Geological Survey Radon Index.
- Longitudinal associations between radon and CBC components were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models; cross-sectional associations with CBC differentials were assessed using compositional data analysis.
Main Results:
- Higher radon concentrations (>4 pCi/L) were associated with significantly lower leukocyte counts (78 cells/μL lower) compared to lower concentrations (<2 pCi/L).
- Platelet counts, hematocrit, and hemoglobin levels were elevated at higher radon concentrations.
- Compositional data analysis indicated lower lymphocyte percentages and higher percentages of other cell types at higher radon exposures.
Conclusions:
- Radon exposure in post-menopausal women was associated with modest hematological shifts, including lower leukocytes and higher platelets, suggesting a pro-thrombotic tendency.
- The clinical significance and cardiovascular implications of these radon-induced hematological changes remain to be determined.
