What is Radon?
Radon is a metal element with an atomic number 86 and a symbol of RN. The periodic table of elements is located in Group 18 and in the period 6 to the right of Astatin. Radon is one of the noble gases, also called inert gases, along with Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton and Xenon. Its name comes from variation on another element, radium.
Radon, suddenly called Thoron, is highly radioactive, with a short half -life. It has twenty known isotopes, only three of which are found in nature and different isotopes have been discovered by various scientists. Although Ernest Rutherford discovered the Radon-220, the discovery of Radon-222 Friedrich Ernst Dorn in Halle in Germany in 1900 counts as an official discovery. Dorn called it radial and this name, as well as the EM symbol, is sometimes used.
Radon has a limited number of applications. For example, it is used as a neutron source and has a role in predicting an earthquake. However, the main use of radon is in cancer radiotula. This is ironic because Radon is the second mainThe lung cancer and also cause lung tissue damage that can proceed to lung fibrosis and emphysema.
How are people exposed to radon? Radon is located in the Earth's crust around the world, and specifically in all fifty the United States, penetrates into buildings, especially those built on granite. The entrance paths include water supply, through holes surrounding pumps and drains, through gaps and cracks in the base, floors and walls and through building joints. Development in construction techniques helps to keep the radon outside of newly built houses and is easier and cheaper to use than the alternative to mitigating radon after its entry into the house.
estimates say that nearly 1 of 15 houses in the United States have higher levels of radon than the environment of the Environmentagantagentament for Tal Protection. Unfortunately, regional and local tests, not even in neighboring houses, do not reveal the risk of the building, but on the other hand they are adviceThe on -cheap and simple and simple buildings and environmental protection agencies recommend that everyone performs such a test or perform.
Fire and long -term tests are available, with short -term testing lasting 2-90 days and long -term testing takes longer. Tests can be carried out by the house owner or you can hire a qualified tester. The environmental agency maintains a list of qualified testers.