Radon Essay, Research Paper
Mal SchulerChem H Period DMs. Watson5/1/99RADON Radon is the sixth and last member of the inert gas series, group O of the periodic table. Discovered in 1900 by F.E. Dorn, this element was called radium emanation, but when isolated by William Ramsay and Robert Whytlay-Grey inn 1908 the name was changed to niton, from Latin, meaning “shining”. It has been known as radon since 1923 and is given the symbol Rn. The atomic weight of radon is about 222 and the atomic number is 86. An approximate calculation indicates that every 2.6 sq km of soil to a depth of 15cm contains about 1 gram of radon- emitting radium, and that radon makes up more than half of normal background radioactivity in the environment.(Brown p23) Radon is a radioactive gas of which twenty isotopes are known, including radon- 222 from radium, with a half life of 3.823 days, and radon- 220, also called thoron, from thorium, with a half- life of 54.5 seconds. Both isotopes emit alpha particles.(Kokotti p 2249) The melting point of the element is -71 deg C, the boiling point is -61.8 deg C, and the gas density is 9.73 g/l at 0 deg C. Recent reports have indicated a reaction may occur between radon and fluorine, forming radon fluoride. At room temperature radon is a colorless gas, but when cooled below its freezing point the solid exhibits a brilliant phosphorescence that becomes yellow as the temperature is lowered, and orange- red at intense temperatures. Radon has been used therapeutically as an alpha- particle source in the treatment of cancer.(Wu p.488) Unsafe levels of radon gas have been discovered in a number of homes throughout the United States. Apparently, radon-222, produced by natural radium in the ground, can enter a house through small fissures or in well water, and remain in the air if unventilated.(Gammage p.2238) The radon then decays to radioactive products that can be absorbed in the lungs and can lead, over a long period of time and exposure, to lung cancer deaths. The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that from 5,000 to 20,000 lung- cancer deaths each year may be attributed to radon products. It recommends remedial action if radon levels in homes exceed 4 trillionths of a curie of radon per liter of air.(Pontius p.20) Although initial discoveries pointed to particular areas susceptible to radon pollution, such a Maryland and eastern Pennsylvania, and in a number of European countries. So far, proposed remedies for indoor radon pollution have ranged fairly widely in cost, but the simplest methods of dealing with the problem are relatively inexpensive. One, is buying a kit which you plug into a wall shock. This kit will measure the amount of radon in a house and an alarm will go off when there is to much radon present in the house.(Cavallo p. 2254) Three British scientists claim they have found previously unsuspected link between radon gas and certain non- lung cancers. Radon has been known for decades to cause lung cancer, but a study in the journal “Lancet” links radon exposure and leukemia in both children and adults; brain, spine, bone and skin cancer in children; and kidney and skin cancer in adults.(Chah p.1793) In conclusion radon is very deadly because it cause many disease that can lead to death. The simplest method of protecting you and your family is buying a kit which measures the level of radon present in a house.Bibliography Brown, William.(1992). Craves risk cancer from undergroung radon: New Scientists. V. 135 Sept. p.23 Cavallo, A.(1992). Uce of natural basement ventilation to control radon in single family dwellings: Atmosheric- Environment-General topics. V. 26A no9 June p 1791-3 Chah, B. (1992). Determination of radon in indoor air in Quebec by liquid scintillation counting in ortho-xylene: Atmosheric-Environment-General topics. V.26A no9 June p. 1791-3 Gammage,R. (1992). Subteranean transport of radon and elevated indoor radon in hilly karst terrain: Atmosheric- Environment-General topics. V.26A no 12 Aug. p. 2237-46 Kokotti, H. (1992). Dependency of radon entry on pressure difference: Atmospheric-Environmental-General topics. V. 26A no 12 Aug. p. 2247-50 Pontius, Frederick. (1992). USEPA’s proposed radon MCL: too high, too low, or just right?:American water works association journal. V. 84 Oct. p. 20+ Wu, Chai Wah.(1992). A two layer radon transform cellular neural network: IEEE- Transactions on circuits and systems. V.39 July. p.488-9
Другие работы по теме:
Noble Gases Essay Research Paper Noble GasesThe
Noble Gases Essay, Research Paper Noble GasesThe Noble Gases are the far right elements on the periodic table. On the earth they are scarce so we don+t see much of them. They are do not react well with anything. In fact until around the 50+s they hadn+t found anything that they would react with any of the gases.
Poem Fading Away Essay Research Paper as
Poem: Fading Away Essay, Research Paper as i gaze at the falling rain trying to get away from all the pain som uch tension rising in the air dying inside does anyone care
Romeo An Juliet Essay Research Paper hi
Romeo An Juliet Essay, Research Paper hi i need an essay about a character in romeo and juliet that demonsrtated maturity. in a well developed multi pagraph essay and say why you think the character’s maturity was greater than the other characters in the play.
Radon Essay Research Paper RadonRadon is a
Radon Essay, Research Paper Radon Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can be found in soil, underground water, and outdoor air. Some of the properties of this gas
Radon Essay Research Paper Radon is earths
Radon Essay, Research Paper Radon is earth?s only naturally produced radioactive gas. It comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon has no odor, no taste, and can not be seen. When it comes indoors it can become a health hazard. Radon can enter your house through cracks and openings in the foundation, floor, and walls.
The Radon Problem Essay Research Paper THE
The Radon Problem Essay, Research Paper THE RADON PROBLEM You can’t see radon. And you can’t smell or taste it, but it may very well be a problem in your home. It is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas, and when you breathe air containing the gas, you can get lung cancer.
Radon Essay Research Paper Radon is an
Radon Essay, Research Paper Radon is an element that is on the periodic table of elements. It is a member of the family called the noble gases, which is group number 18. Radon is a gas. It is a gas at 298 k. it is the heaviest known mononuclear gas at that temperature. Radon is also colorless. When it is cooled below the freezing point, radon exhibits a brilliant phosphorescence, which becomes yellow as the temperature is lowered.
Oh Really Essay Research Paper Oh Reallyyou
Oh Really? Essay, Research Paper Oh Really, you think i am a lark, the dogs they run and bark, but when i say to them, shut up shut up shut up, you say to be nice to them,
Radon In New Jersey Essay Research Paper
RADON IN NEW JERSEY From the beginning, life has evolved in the presence of natural background ionizing radiation. There are three principal types and sources of radiation that occur on earth. The first of which are cosmic rays, which impinge on the Earth from outer space. The second is from terrestrial radiation, which are released by the disintegration of radium, thorium, uranium, and other radioactive minerals in the Earth s crust.
Shane Essay Research Paper Sometimes I need
Shane Essay, Research Paper Sometimes, I need you more than I need air And sometimes I miss you more than I will forever, never forget the times that we have shaared. The are priceless
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Him Essay Research Paper I think about
Him Essay, Research Paper I think about him day and night The though won’t go away And, oh, how I would hold him tight every second of the day He is perfect, that is true, not an average me or you
Poem She Sat Essay Research Paper She
Poem: She Sat Essay, Research Paper She sat… helpless in her room praying to whatever god there may be to let her call to him. could god ignore such a painful cry?
School Essay Research Paper School Where
School Essay, Research Paper School! Where did they come up with that name? I guess because it rhymes with lame Now this rhyme you read will be quite corny Please don’t get upset, mad, or horny
Ode To Boys Essay Research Paper We
Ode To Boys Essay, Research Paper We like them But do they like us The ones we do never fuss They don’t stop in And we wonder why We stress, we bitch We sometimes cry
Crying Again Essay Research Paper The Sky
Crying Again Essay, Research Paper The Sky is crying again And i am crying again. When did it start? When will it end? How’d i wind up with out a friend? Tears from my heart cling to my soul.
Life Is Like Essay Research Paper Life
Life Is Like Essay, Research Paper Life is like a car. When it?s new, it usually works all right. As time drives by, it breaks down and needs repairs. Life is like a leaf. In its youth, it
Hell Day Essay Research Paper Hell day
Hell Day Essay, Research Paper Hell day is a fun day where everything is like a burn day. If you would listen you could learn about this day and be apart of this day. If you are wise then you will relize that hell day is satans Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dare Essay Essay Research Paper What DARE
Dare Essay Essay, Research Paper What D.A.R.E Means To Me Dare has prepared me to say no to drugs in eight different ways. If anyone asks me to do drugs I will know what to do, such as- just ignoring the person or just
The Playground Essay Research Paper I have
The Playground Essay, Research Paper I have a friend I used to know who had a playground where we would go The times we had are fresh in my mind but they are from another time
How To Writing A Research Essay Essay
, Research Paper How To Writing A Research Essay The toughest part of the essay, for me, was taking all the information I had gained and reduce it to a mere few pages essay. After all, quality is better