[Ionizing radiation and bronchial carcinoma]

The paper presents a survey of the radiation induced bronchial carcinoma with particular reference to occupational conditions. The central subject is the so-called Schneeberg disease as the most frequent and best studied type of such carcinoma, concerning the aetiology and epidemiology of the disease. After a short historical introduction the importance of the shortliving radon daughters as the actually injurious agents in the underground mines with a radioactive climate is discussed. The evaluation of this type of radiation exposure after inhalation of alpha-emitting radionuclides by means of the measuring quantities working level and working level month is described. From the several publications on the results of epidemiological investigations concerning the incidence of bronchial carcinoma among uranium miners the reports from USA and CSSR are referred to somewhat more in detail. The possibility of a radioactive climate in nonuranium mines and other underground installations is pointed out. Other types of radiation induced bronchial carcinoma are mentioned, emphasizing the character of the Schneeberg disease as a model for all these other kinds. Finally, the possibility to derive risk estimates from the results of epidemiological investigations is demonstrated by means of some selected examples.