Radon is a member of the radioactive decay chain of uranium Radon is formed in the decay chain of thorium Radon decays in a sequence of radionuclides called radon decay products, radon daughters, or radon progeny.
It is radon that most readily occurs in the environment. Atmospheric releases of radon results in the formation of decay products that are radioisotopes of heavy metals polonium, lead, bismuth and rapidly attach to other airborne materials such as dust and other materials facilitating inhalation. USE: Radon has been used in some spas for presumed medical effects. In addition, radon is used to initiate and influence chemical reactions and as a surface label in the study of surface reactions.
It has been obtained by pumping the gasses off of a solution of a radium salt, sparking the gas mixture to combine the hydrogen and oxygen, removing the water and carbon dioxide by adsorption, and freezing out the radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and comes from the natural breakdown radioactive decay of uranium. It is usually found in igneous rock and soil, but in some cases, well water may also be a source of radon.
Radon in the ground, groundwater, or building materials enters working and living spaces and disintegrates into its decay products. Although high concentrations of radon in groundwater may contribute to radon exposure through ingestion, the inhalation of radon released from water is usually more important. Radon is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water.
Naturally existing, low levels of uranium occur widely in Earth's crust. It can be found in all 50 states. Once produced, radon moves through the ground to the air above. Some remains below the surface and dissolves in water that collects and flows under the ground's surface. Radon has a half-life of about four days—half of a given quantity of it breaks down every four days. When radon undergoes radioactive decay, it emits ionizing radiation in the form of alpha particles.
It also produces short-lived decay products, often called progeny or daughters, some of which are also radioactive. Unlike radon, the progeny are not gases and can easily attach to dust and other particles.
Geological Survey study has discovered high levels of radon in wells across certain areas of Pennsylvania. Tests of 75 private drinking water wells in Lycoming County, in north-central Pennsylvania, found water from most of the sampled wells contained concentrations of radon that exceeded a proposed, nonbinding health standard for drinking water. Smaller percentages of the wells contained concentrations of arsenic or methane that exceed existing drinking water standards.
Geological Survey. Radon is a radioactive gas, and radon in air is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Inset photograph shows the new laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Credit: USGS. Skip to main content. Search Search. Environmental Health.
Apply Filter. Should I be concerned about radon in my house? You can get an idea as to how concerned you should be about radon in your house by learning about the geology of the site and its radon potential. If your house is in an area with a high potential for radon, then chances are that your house may have an indoor radon problem. Order a report. Radon measurement pack Find out the yearly average radon level for a property and if it is above or below the Action Level.
Order a domestic pack Order a workplace pack. Your questions answered Find helpful and informative answers to your questions. Everything you need to know about radon Radon is a colourless, odourless radioactive gas formed by the radioactive decay of the small amounts of uranium that occur naturally in all rocks and soils.
Radon information. Why is it a risk to our health? Where is radon found? What is a low level? What is radioactivity and radiation? Our exposure to radiation We are all exposed to radiation from natural and man-made sources.
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