Tracing Long-Term Radon Gas Exposure With… Toenails?
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by Henry Thomas
November 26, 2025
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9 min
5 Key Takeaways
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1
Toenail clippings can reveal long-term radon exposure.
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2
The study uses ICP-MS to analyze radioactive lead isotopes.
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3
Radon is a leading cause of lung cancer, especially for non-smokers.
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4
The research may redefine lung cancer screening criteria.
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5
The team is conducting trials to validate their findings across Canada.
Research from the University of Calgary has developed a novel method to assess long-term radon exposure and its link to lung cancer by analyzing toenail clippings for radioactive lead isotopes. This technique overcomes limitations of traditional home radon testing, enabling a comprehensive assessment of historical exposure that is necessary for refining cancer risk evaluations. The method holds promise for expanding eligibility for lung cancer screenings, especially for non-smokers, and addresses important environmental health concerns related to radon and potentially wildfire smoke.
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