Table of Contents
What periodic family is radon in?
noble gas family
Radon is the last member of the noble gas family. The noble gases are the elements that make up Group 18 (VIIIA) of the periodic table.
What is the classification of radon?
The chemical element radon is classed as a noble gas and a nonmetal….Data Zone.
| Classification: | Radon is a noble gas and a nonmetal |
|---|---|
| Color: | colorless |
| Atomic weight: | (222), no stable isotopes |
| State: | gas |
| Melting point: | -71 oC, 202 K |
When was radon first discovered?
1900
Radon/Discovered
Discovery of Radon The history of radon began when Friedrich Ernst Dorn, a physicist and university professor in Germany, first discovered that radon, a radioactive substance, was emitted from radium in 1900.
What is radon used for now?
It is used in the treatment of cell damage and cancer. Radon is also used in radiation therapy.
Where is radon coming from?
Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil and groundwater. People can be exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that comes through cracks and gaps in buildings and homes.
How fast does radon accumulate?
Radon has a relatively short half-life; that is, half of the radon present will decay in a bit less than four days. Therefore, radon in the home will not build up over time as long as the source and other characteristics of the residence remain the same.
Is there radon everywhere?
Radon is present everywhere, and there is no known safe level. Although radon is present outdoors, your greatest risk of exposure is where it can accumulate (indoors) and where you spend most of your time (at home).
Is radon highest in basement?
Also, once the windows, doors, or vents are closed, the radon concentration returns to the previous level within hours according to EPA studies. FACT: Its concentration is usually the highest in basements, simply because it emanates out of the soil through the basement.
What state has the highest radon levels?
Alaska
Alaska has the highest radon levels of 10.7 pCi/L. Homeowners in Alaska are encouraged to test for radon every two years….Here are the 10 states with the highest Radon levels:
- Alaska (10.7)
- South Dakota (9.6)
- Pennsylvania (8.6)
- Ohio (7.8)
- Washington (7.5)
- Montana (7.4)
- Kentucky (7.4)
- Idaho (7.3)