GLGY 308 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Radon, Becquerel, Health Canada
28 Dec 2019
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Document Summary
Radon is a radioactive decay product of uranium and thorium. Radon is radioactive and decays to form other elements. Lead is the stable product at the end of this decay series. When radon gas is inhaled, the particles embed themselves in the lungs and stay there. Over time they continue to decay and the radioactive decay process causes problems in the human body, specifically lung cancer. Radon emits alpha particles that radiate with so much energy that they can strip electrons away from the atoms that make up the human body. Radon is a gas so it can travel through environment much easier, and can potentially enter water supply. Radon emits alpha particles from nucleus and it can go into body cells. Radon gas exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking. _________ is the #2 cause of lung cancer after smoking. 90 days and above is considered a long term radon test.
