Nail analysis helps determine the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Scientists from the University of Calgary (Canada) have found an unusual way to determine whether a person has been exposed to radon — an invisible radioactive gas that is the second most common cause of lung cancer after smoking. The study, published in Environment International (EI), showed that traces of radon can be detected in toenails.
Radon is released from soil and rocks, accumulating in poorly ventilated spaces. When inhaled, it decays into radioactive lead, which settles in the body's tissues — including in nails, hair, and skin. The researchers measured the concentration of the isotope lead-210 in nail samples and found that people living in homes with elevated radon levels had nearly four times higher levels than those breathing clean air.
Radon can accumulate in the body for years, damaging lung cells and increasing the risk of cancer. The new method allows for accurate determination of long-term exposure to the gas without complex tests: it is sufficient to send a few nail clippings for analysis.
The authors believe that the radon test using nails will help identify at-risk groups among people who have never smoked but are still at risk of developing lung cancer.
