RADIATION PROTECTION ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (2): 119-132.

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Mechanism of action and efficacy of radon springs on human body and dose evaluation

XIE Silei1,2, GAO Bai1,2, LIU Yuanyuan1,2, MA Wenjie1,2, LI Sisi1,2   

  1. 1. School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013;
    2. State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013
  • Received:2024-06-19 Online:2025-03-20 Published:2025-03-18

Abstract: With the rise of the concept of “great health”, radioactive springs such as radon hot springs have become an emerging health tourism and convalescence way to meet the needs of people seeking natural, non-pharmacological therapies, which has great potential and application value. Meanwhile, radon in water is an important source of indoor radon, which is classified as one of the carcinogens by the World Health Organization, and the concentration limit and effective dose of radon have become scientific issues of concern in the field of environmental and ecotoxicological toxicology, which restricts the development of radon springs in terms of medical treatment. This paper centers on the development of radon spring bath therapy, the formation and distribution of radon springs, the non-specific and biological mechanism of radon springs on human body, the efficacy of radon springs, and the progress of radon springs dose limit. This paper focuses on the review of radon springs for the course of treatment of different types of diseases and the clinical effect. On the basis of the review, the effective dose due to the inhalation of radon and its daughters by convalescents and the results of the effect of radon on different organs or tissues are calculated; the relationship between the concentration and annual effective dose of radon and the effects on different organs or tissues are analyzed. This paper also analyzes the relationship between radon concentration and annual effective dose and residence time, so as to provide theoretical and technical support for the public to safely and scientifically utilize the benefits of radon springs.

Key words: radon spring, radioactivity, mechanism of action, spa, health risk

CLC Number: 

  • R146