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Is radon natural or synthetic?
Radon comes from the breakdown of naturally-occurring radioactive elements (such as uranium and thorium) in soils and rocks. As part of the radioactive decay process, radon gas is produced.
Is radon found naturally?
Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation.
Is radon a pure substance?
radon (Rn), chemical element, a heavy radioactive gas of Group 18 (noble gases) of the periodic table, generated by the radioactive decay of radium. (Radon was originally called radium emanation.) Radon is a colourless gas, 7.5 times heavier than air and more than 100 times heavier than hydrogen.
Where does radon come from naturally?
Radon is a natural radioactive gas which comes from the decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It is colourless, odourless and tasteless. In outside air the levels of radon are low but it collects in enclosed places, such as houses, workplaces and other buildings.
What makes radon a naturally occurring radioactive gas?
Environmental Health. Radon is a naturally-occurring gas produced by the radioactive decay of the element radium. Radon itself is radioactive because it also decays to form the element polonium.
Where can radon gas be found in the world?
Radon is ubiquitous (usually in small amounts) in rock and soil and can be carried in water, air, and in natural gas. Some rock types have the potential to produce higher-than-average amounts of radon gas.
How is radon harmful to the human body?
Radon itself is radioactive because it also decays to form the element polonium. Polonium is also radioactive – it is this element, which is produced by radon in the air and in people’s lungs, that can hurt lung tissue and cause lung cancer. Radon is ubiquitous (usually in small amounts) in rock and soil and can be carried in water,…
What kind of research is there on radon?
As of the late 1990s, USGS research on radon has mostly been limited to its presence in groundwater. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the best starting point for information about air quality and radon in buildings. Should I be concerned about radon in my house?