It is also found if we consider only counties in a given section of the country. There are no other data capable of testing the theory in that region. The article about radon was an excellent contribution, but I have one possible correction. I believe that, although radon is an alpha emitter, this radioactivity is not the source of its suspected harmful effect. I believe the danger from radon, and the reason it is more dangerous in the lungs, is due simply to the chemical nature of its ultimate daughter.
Radon emits an alpha and mutates to polonium.
I believe it is the deposition on lung tissue of metallic lead from radon that is believed to cause lung cancer, not genetic mutation caused directly by energetic alpha particles. I also noted that some scientists speculate that radon can help prevent lung cancer. While I did not specifically cite Bernard L. Cohen's research, I did take it into account, along with other studies of radon's health effects. In reply to Thomas Cunningham's letter, both radon's alpha emissions and its daughter products have been cited as possible health threats. Discrete, incremental, and simple tax policies are more likely to succeed with voters and officeholders.