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The function of radon in curing respiratory diseases in the therapeutic cave of Tapolca

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Abstract

It is suggested to spend some time in a cave for curing respiratory diseases. Some ascribe the healing effect partly to radon. In Hungary in the Hospital Cave of Tapolca the mean radon concentration shows 17 times difference in the winter and in the summer period. The change of the forced exhaled volume in 1 s (FEV1) values was examined measured by 1824 patients in this cave. By 70% of the patients the FEV1 value improved, by 30% it became worse but these were independent from the radon concentration of the cave. Therefore, radon concentration has no positive effect during the treatments performed in Tapolca.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiochemistry, University of Pannonia, P.O. Box 158, 8201, Veszprém, Hungary

    J. Somlai, N. Kávási & T. Kovács

  2. Department of Allergy, Hospital of Tapolca, Ady u. 1-3, 8300, Tapolca, Hungary

    T. Szabó

  3. Mecsek-Öko Environmental Protection Co., H-7614, Pécs, P.O. Box 121, Hungary

    A. Várhegyi

Authors
  1. J. Somlai
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  2. N. Kávási
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  3. T. Szabó
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  4. A. Várhegyi
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  5. T. Kovács
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Somlai, J., Kávási, N., Szabó, T. et al. The function of radon in curing respiratory diseases in the therapeutic cave of Tapolca. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 273, 363–370 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-007-6878-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-007-6878-8

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