Objective To provide the basis for radon spring if there are any adverse effects that radon spring might have on human health by detecting micronucleus rate in peripheral blood lymphocytes of the residents surrounding with radon hot springs.

Methods Two groups were drew at simple random. Radon group had 42 residents surrounding with radon hot springs and control group had 44 residents with same living habit without radon hot springs. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus method was used to measure micronucleus in two groups.

Results In radon group the averages of micronucleus rate(u=8.26, P < 0.01)and micronucleus cell frequency(χ²=47.76, P < 0.01)were significantly higher than control group. In radon group, the micronucleus rate and micronucleus cell frequency were significantly increased with age(χ²=44.034, 27.739, both P < 0.01); and the micronucleus rate(u=7.98, P < 0.01)and micronucleus cell frequency(χ²=37.123, P < 0.01) of female were significantly higher than male. The micronucleus rate was associated with radon exposure(χ²=57.68, P < 0.01)controlling of confounding factors such as age, gender, smoking and drinking alcohol.

Conclusions High radon springs could cause the increase of the incidence of micronucleus in peripheral blood lymphocyte.