** Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R ).EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R ) Melissa Usher, I. Chem, Fall 2011

 Radon is a colorless, odorless noble gas.  1 st Ionization Energy = kJ/mol  Melting point = -71°C, Boiling point = -61.8°C  Radon glows red in a gas discharge tube and phosphoresces yellowish-green when significantly cooled.  Radon was discovered just before 1900, by F.E. Dorn in Halle, Germany.  Radon was isolated in 1910 by William Ramsey (Nobel Prize Winner- Chemistry, 1904) and Robert Whytlaw- Gray.

 Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of uranium (found in nearly all soils).  Radon decays into other products, which are solid particles that become suspended in air.  These particles are small and easily inhaled, where they can attach to lung tissue.  Radon isotopes have short "half-lives" and continue to further decay, exposing the lungs to radiation.  The US Surgeon General has cited radon gas as the 2 nd leading cause of lung cancer in the US. (smoking = #1 cause).

 Radon can move through cracks in the foundation of your home.  It comes from Uranium decay in the soil underneath into Radon-222.  Radon-222 quickly (3.8 days) alpha decays into other radioactive products, with each new product becoming increasingly stable.

 Radon can also be dissolved in water, and then released when exposed to air.  But when Rn (aq) is exposed to the air, the air allows the radon to dissipate.  According to the Utah Geological Survey, high amounts of radon have never been found in Utah’s public water.  Well water is at higher risk because it is not exposed to fresh air. This USGS Survey was based on: 1) geologic (lithologic), 2) aerial radiometric using gamma-ray detectors, 3) soil characteristics, including soil moisture and permeability, 4) indoor radon data, and 5) building architecture (specifically, whether homes in each area are predominantly slab-on-grade or crawl space construction, as opposed to homes with basements).

 Radon may be present in high indoor- radon levels if the building is: 1. built on ground containing sufficient uranium. 2. has underlying soil that allows easy movement of radon. 3. made with porous building materials, has cracks, or other openings below the ground surface that allow radon from soil to enter the building. 4. has lower internal air pressure relative to the soil around the foundation.  Utah results by ZIP code: %20Short%20Term% pdf %20Short%20Term% pdf %20Short%20Term% pdf

 Test your radon levels:  Short term test (2-90 days long). At home kits can be purchased ($6-$99) or hire professional contractors.  If the test indicates high levels of radon gas, long term tests and monitoring should be pursued.  The EPA suggests that occupants of homes with radon levels above 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter of air) take action to reduce indoor- radon concentrations. (Avg. indoor radon level ~1.3 pCi/L, avg. outdoor ~0.4 pCi/L)  Reduction Actions include:  Soil suction (drawing the gas out of the soil).  Ventilation to dilute radon gas  Finding and closing radon sources of entry (cracks in foundation, etc.)  Home or room pressurization  Covering exposed soil with plastic.

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