Residential radon in Peru: challenges for health surveillance and lung cancer prevention

Radon is a globally recognized lung carcinogen and one of the main risk factors for lung cancer in nonsmokers. In Peru, recent evidence indicates elevated radon concentrations in homes in Metropolitan Lima and a possible contribution to the increase in lung cancer, especially in women, although national evidence primarily comes from ecological studies and is still insufficient to establish causality. Regulatory, technical, and surveillance gaps persist that hinder its control. This special article presents a narrative review of international and national evidence and aims to examine the current situation of radon exposure in Peru, identify the regulatory and surveillance gaps that limit its control, and propose specific mitigation measures aligned with international recommendations.