The influence of radon measurement errors on the uncertainties of epidemiological case-control studies

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2011 May;145(2-3):243-7. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncr090. Epub 2011 Apr 16.

Abstract

To analyse the influence of the parameters of case and control groups and uncertainties of radon concentration assessments on the dose-effect dependence, a special computer program was designed. The influence of measurement errors on the uncertainties of radon case-control analysis is demonstrated on examples of hypothetical case and control groups with sizes from 250-500 to 7000-14,000 members. The modelling was conducted using a Monte Carlo technique for different values of measurement uncertainties. The random errors of radon assessment affect both the numerical value of the slope coefficient β of the linear dependence of relative risk of lung cancer incidence on indoor radon concentration and the accuracy of this value. The extrapolation of the dependence of the slope coefficient β on the total (initial plus additional) random error of radon concentration assessment is suggested for the assessment of an unbiased value of the slope coefficient β.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / adverse effects*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Lung Neoplasms / etiology
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / epidemiology*
  • Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / etiology
  • Radiation Monitoring / methods*
  • Radon / adverse effects*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Uncertainty

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon