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Radon
Luis Aguilera
Physical Geology
Fall 2005
                                                   Radon Gas

Introduction

I am writing this report to give an in depth insight of the very real threat of radon gas in our every day life. I will go over causes and effects of radon gas, and the testing and prevention of this very real threat.  

Radon (Rn) is a colorless odorless gas found naturally all around us. It is number 82 on the periodic table and is the heaviest noble gas.  Radon is a by-product of Decomposing uranium 238. This process is knows as radioactive decay. In this process the decomposing Uranium emits free-floating alpha particles, which transfers to a gas form known. The illustration below illustrates the basic break down of Uranium and all the products it forms in its. 

The unique characteristic of Uranium is that most

the deposits resemble streams or riverbeds. This is because

 in order to form Uranium to you need have decomposing

 organic matter, like trees and animals, which are abundant.

Then volcanic activity must take place and cover the matter

 with ash.

  www.testproducts.com/ radon/

Common places to find radon gas, Generally speaking, can be found anywhere because of the vast abundance of Uranium. It occurs in most rocks in concentrations of 2 to 4 parts per million and is as common in the earth's crust as tin, tungsten and molybdenum. Regionally speaking, in the United States, the greatest concentration of Uranium and radon would be in the north and northeast, as illustrated in the map below.

www.tdh.state.tx.us/ radiation/radon.htm

• Zone 1 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) (red zones)
• Zone 2 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (orange zones)
• Zone 3 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (yellow zones)

Radon can be found anywhere around us at any time in varying amounts.  When you are outside the exposure to Radon is relatively mild. But as we go inside the exposure is increased because of the trapped gas. Cellars and basements are particular places of great concentration of Radon.  The time of year that trapped gas is at its highest  level is in the wintertime. This is because closed windows and sealed gaps.

In Iowa researchers conducted a five-year study testing one thousand participants, primarily women, in the area who have been in their home for more then twenty years.  They theorized that since most were usually become home makes they would have the most exposure to radon gas. The study showed that four hundred and thirteen women tested positive for lung cancer.    They found that Radon is particularly bad for your lungs because they attach to the soft lining of your lungs and continue to decay. 

Radon is a colorless odorless gas that is difficult to detect. There are kits that you can set up in your house and send to a lab for analysis (postage included). The kits detect radon levels in the air and a separate one for water. http://www.landauerinc.com/radtrak.htm
 

 Radon, because of its abundance, is difficult to rid your house of it. The only real things you can do is reduce its entry of to your house. The gas come form cracks in the foundation and walls of basements. There is a specialized foam spray that is designed fill cracks and hold down the radioactive gas.

The other thing is to keep your house ventilated whenever possible.

Internet sources

http://radon.com/radon/radon_facts.html

http://www.accustarlabs.com/radoninfo_abc.php

http://www.landauerinc.com/radtrak.htm

http://www.cheec.uiowa.edu/misc/radon.html

http://periodic.lanl.gov/elements/86.html

www.tdh.state.tx.us/ radiation/radon.htm

www.testproducts.com/ radon/