Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Radon is responsible for the majority of public exposure to ionizing radiation. It is often the single largest contributor to an individual's background radiation dose, and is the most variable from location to location. Radon gas from natural sources can accumulate in buildings, especially in confined areas such as attics and basements.
Maps of average radon levels in houses are available, to assist in planning mitigation measures. [8] While high uranium in the soil/rock under a house does not always lead to a high radon level in air, a positive correlation between the uranium content of the soil and the radon level in air can be seen.
The four principal ways of reducing the amount of radon accumulating in a house are: [13] [174] Sub-slab depressurization (soil suction) by increasing under-floor ventilation; Improving the ventilation of the house and avoiding the transport of radon from the basement into living rooms; Installing a radon sump system in the basement;
A typical radon test kit Fluctuation of ambient air radon concentration over one week, measured in a laboratory. The first step in mitigation is testing. No level of radiation is considered completely safe, but as it cannot be eliminated, governments around the world have set various action levels to provide guidance on when radon concentrations should be reduced.
Although radon is naturally occurring, exposure can be enhanced or diminished by human activity, notably house construction. A poorly sealed dwelling floor, or poor basement ventilation, in an otherwise well insulated house can result in the accumulation of radon within the dwelling, exposing its residents to high concentrations.
Radon gas in the natural gas streams concentrate as NORM in gas processing activities. Radon decays to lead-210, then to bismuth-210, polonium-210 and stabilizes with lead-206. Radon decay elements occur as a shiny film on the inner surface of inlet lines, treating units, pumps and valves associated with propylene, ethane and propane processing ...
There are 39 known isotopes of radon (86 Rn), from 193 Rn to 231 Rn; all are radioactive.The most stable isotope is 222 Rn with a half-life of 3.8235 days, which decays into 218 Po
Alternatively, radon may enter the body through contaminated drinking water or through the decay of ingested radium [3] – making radon diffusion one of the greatest dangers of radium. [10] Thus, 222 Rn is a carcinogen ; in fact, it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after cigarette smoking , [ 3 ] with over 20,000 ...