ELEMENT: RADON

[jenkswrester]

Does anyone think that the element radon is toxic or hazardous in any way? And does anyone know any of the uses of radon?

[gethen]

No first hand knowledge, but you might start here (http://www.mass.gov/dph/rcp/radonfq.htm).

I should add that this topic might be better in BABBling, since it doesn't seem to have anything to do with astronomy, either in the movies or elsewhere.

[Eta C]

Radon isn't toxic in the chemical sense. It's one of the inert gas family like helium and neon. It is, however, radioactive with a half life of a few days. Rn is an alpha emitter, which normally isn't difficult to shield against, a piece of paper will normally do. The problem is as a gas Rn is inhaled. Once in the body, alpha emitters can do substantial damage.

Rn is the decay product of uranium and thorium. The concern is that in some areas where the concentration of these elements is high, Rn can seep into a building through the foundation and concentrate there. It is a potential problem, but has been over-sensationalized somewhat in my opinion.

[Swift]

Ton of information here (http://www.webelements.com/webelements/elements/text/Rn/key.html)
The following uses for radon are gathered from a number of sources as well as from anecdotal comments. I'd be delighted to receive corrections as well as additional referenced uses (please use the feedback mechanism to add uses).

occasional therapeutic use
earthquake prediction
radiation therapy in hospitals

Health effects:
Radon emits alpha particles. The main hazard is from inhalation of the element and its radiodecay products which collect on dust in the air. This might be a hazard in, for instance, uranium mines. Recently, radon buildup in homes and cellars from the surrounding soil and rocks has become a safety issue and some areas around the world test homes for radon gas.
I'll add further that IIRC, the biggest common hazard to people is long term exposure from buildup in homes. This comes from its natural formation in certain types of rocks; it then can get trapped in homes. Long term exposure to elevated levels can increase cancer risks.

[nomuse]

As it happens, just yesterday I read an article in the Mainichi Daily News about a hot spring resort offering radon baths. They couldn't come up with any scientists who didn't look consider radon harmful, but the Ministry of Health took a look and basically shrugged, as the amount of radon involved at the spa was so miniscule.

[aurora]

As it happens, just yesterday I read an article in the Mainichi Daily News about a hot spring resort offering radon baths. They couldn't come up with any scientists who didn't look consider radon harmful, but the Ministry of Health took a look and basically shrugged, as the amount of radon involved at the spa was so miniscule.

In British Columbia, Canada, there is a Radium Hot Springs, which I presume was named a long time ago.

[tracer]

I should add that this topic might be better in BABBling, since it doesn't seem to have anything to do with astronomy, either in the movies or elsewhere.
Nonsense -- can't you just imagine Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot blurting out, "Thank goodness for RADON!" ?

[escoville]

Radon is said to cause or at least contribute to about 2500 deaths from lung cancer in the UK each year. The problem apparently arises when new and well-insulated houses are built on granite (e.g. Dartmoor, Aberdeen). The gas comes up through the floor and can't escape. In old and draughty houses there was no problem. I have heard there is a similar problem in Finland, where the substrate is mostly granite.

[Amadeus]

Radon is said to cause or at least contribute to about 2500 deaths from lung cancer in the UK each year. The problem apparently arises when new and well-insulated houses are built on granite (e.g. Dartmoor, Aberdeen). The gas comes up through the floor and can't escape. In old and draughty houses there was no problem. I have heard there is a similar problem in Finland, where the substrate is mostly granite.

Speaking as someone from cornwall I can tell you that they take this seriously. a lot of public buildings have a radon detector in rooms sort of like the Carbon monoxide detectors you can get if you have an old boiler.

To give you and idea of the levels of homes affected here is a map (http://www.nrpb.org/radon/radon_maps/uk_map.htm) of England and wales with number of homes in radon affected areas.

BTW the area I used to live in is the big black spot in the bottom left corner :o

[Glom]

Isn't that small action region in that bay in the North-West Cumbria?

[Gas Giant]

Isn't that small action region in that bay in the North-West Cumbria?
It's at the bottom of Cumbria, just by the Lancashire border. Looks like Kendal is the nearest big town.

[Glom]

I ask because I think it's the location of Sellafield.

[snowcelt]

I ask because I think it's the location of Sellafield.

I believe Glom that you have, again, reached the status of attention level 4. :D

[Glom]

Why do you say that?

[snowcelt]

Why do you say that?

Seems too me that you are 'right in there,' you know, back to your old form. Or am I in error, and you have the scale set so you should go to attention span 2?

[Glom]

I'm doing okay at the moment. The thing is that I'm a bit selective. It happens when there are a couple of threads that I really like and I end up diverting all attention to them and when those threads die I'm left with not doing much at all. It's because I'm only paying attention to certain threads at the moment that I'm not sure if I should raise my attention span level.

[Gas Giant]

I ask because I think it's the location of Sellafield.
Nope, Sellafield is on the coast south of Whitehaven. On that map it's just next to where line 5 horizontal crosses line 3 vertical - i.e. not in an action area.

[fossilnut]

jenkserester:

Radon is like a lot of radioactive phenomena: only 'bad' in large doses. It can be in well drinking water, etc. and like other radioactive damage tends to be cumulative. a little is benign (we all are exosed)..a lot and you're toast.
Radon is used in some medical treatments but I don't know how. Radon's most commom commercial use is in gas form as an indicator of the presence of uranium deposits. In geology class we would walk around fields, forests, etc. with an instrument called a scintillator and measure the amounts.

The irony is people usually DON"T want to know about the radon levels in their environment.

Radon, commercially, is not as popular as an indicator as it once was. Back in the late 40's and 50's there was a big 'uranium' rush in the American southwest to find uranium ore. Then huge deposits were found in Canada that dwarfed all other deposits.

[tjm220]

jenkserester:

Radon is like a lot of radioactive phenomena: only 'bad' in large doses. It can be in well drinking water, etc. and like other radioactive damage tends to be cumulative. a little is benign (we all are exosed)..a lot and you're toast.
Radon is used in some medical treatments but I don't know how. Radon's most commom commercial use is in gas form as an indicator of the presence of uranium deposits. In geology class we would walk around fields, forests, etc. with an instrument called a scintillator and measure the amounts.

The irony is people usually DON"T want to know about the radon levels in their environment.

Radon, commercially, is not as popular as an indicator as it once was. Back in the late 40's and 50's there was a big 'uranium' rush in the American southwest to find uranium ore. Then huge deposits were found in Canada that dwarfed all other deposits.

Ah, good ol'Saskatchewan uranium.

[fossilnut]

"Ah, good ol'Saskatchewan uranium."

Yup, Uranium City, Saskatchewan. Where they sell gloves with six fingers and there's no need to turn the lights on at night.