2. RELEVANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH 2.1 BACKGROUND AND ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES TO RADON IN THE UNITED STATES Radon is a noble gas formed from the natural radioactive decay of uranium (U) and thorium
نویسنده
چکیده
Radon is a noble gas formed from the natural radioactive decay of uranium (U) and thorium (Th), natural components of the earth’s crust, which decay to radium (Ra) and then to radon (Rn). Decay chains include Ra and Rn for U; Ra and Rn for U; and Ra and Rn for Th. As radium decays, radon is formed and released into pores in the soil. Fissures and pores in the substrate allow the radon to migrate to the surface, where it can be released to the air. Radon may also be released into surface and groundwater from the surrounding soil. Though radon is chemically inert, it decays by normal radioactive processes to other radon progeny. The alpha emitting progeny of radon (primarily polonium isotopes Po and Po) are the ones that can damage the lungs and potentially cause cancer.
منابع مشابه
Determination of radon concentration in drinking water of Bam villages and evaluation of the annual effective dose
Background: Radon is one of the most important radioactive elements which is released by natural decay of available uranium and radium in the ground. The presence of radon gas is common, wherever those faults are located there. Radon concentration of various drinking water resources of Bam villages; located near Bam fault; was measured. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was cond...
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