ArticleNeuro-oncology2023
Exposure to radon and heavy particulate pollution and incidence of brain tumors.
Article in Neuro-oncology, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.
- Ambient Air Pollution and Risk of Brain Tumors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP · 2026Pooled it
- Global Burden and Temporal Trends of Brain and Central Nervous System Tumors in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.Cancer innovation · 2026Article
- Incidence and Survival of IDH-Wildtype Glioblastoma and IDH-Mutant Astrocytoma by Treatment and Sex: A Regional Study in Spain (2011-2021).Medical sciences (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Large-scale plasma proteomics uncovers novel targets linking ambient air pollution and depression.Molecular psychiatry · 2025Article
- Grade-stratified meningioma risk among individuals who are non-Hispanic Black and interactions with male sex.Journal of the National Cancer Institute · 2025Article
- Early Detection of Glioma: Investigating Inflammatory Markers (CRP), Kidney, and Liver Function.CNS & neurological disorders drug targets · 2025Article
- DNA methylome profiling in occupational radon exposure miners using an Illumina Infinium Methylation EPIC BeadChip.Toxicology research · 2023Article
- The joint impacts of sex and race/ethnicity on incidence of grade 1 versus grades 2-3 meningioma across the lifespan.Neuro-oncology advances · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
13 authors at 8 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundGlobal incidence for brain tumors varies substantially without explanation. Studies correlating radon exposure and incidence are inconclusive. Particulate pollution has been linked to increased tumor incidence. Particulates may disrupt the blood-brain barrier allowing intracranial exposure to oncogenic radon. We investigated the relationship between exposure to residential radon, particulate pollution, and brain tumor incidence in the United States (US).
methodsCounty-level median radon testing results and annual air quality index values were obtained and divided into tertiles. Counties without both values were excluded. Four groups of counties were generated: high particulate/high radon (high/high), high/low, low/high, and low/low. Using incidence data from the Central Brain Tumor Registry of the US (provided by CDC's National Program of Cancer Registries and NCI's SEER), annual age-adjusted incidence rates (AAAIRs) by group were generated by behavior. Incidence rate ratios were calculated to examine for significant differences (α = .05). Poisson regression accounting for possible confounders was conducted.
resultsCounties with available data included 83% of the US population. High/high exposure was significantly associated with increased AAAIR of all non-malignant tumors (up to 26% higher, including most meningiomas) even after accounting for potential confounders. An increased AAAIR was noted for all malignant tumors (up to 10% higher), including glioblastoma, but was negated after accounting for demographic/socioeconomic differences.
conclusionsWe present the first report suggesting increased non-malignant brain tumor incidence in regions with high particulate and radon exposure. These findings provide insight into unexplained variation in tumor incidence. Future studies are needed to validate these findings in other populations.
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