What was radon used for in the past

Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.

The discovery is also credited to German physicist Friedrich Ernst Dorn in Radon is a colorless chemically-unreactive inert gas. The atomic radius is 1. Because it is a single atom gas unlike oxygen, O2, which is comprised of two atoms it easily penetrates many common materials like paper, leather, low-density plastic like plastic bags, etc. Radon is also fairly soluble in water and organic solvents. Although reaction with other compounds is comparatively rare, it is not completely inert and forms stable molecules with highly electronegative materials.

Radon is considered a noble gas that occurs in several isotopic forms. Only two are found in significant concentrations in the human environment: radon, and radon Radon is a member of the radioactive decay chain of uranium Radon is formed in the decay chain of thorium Radon decays in a sequence of radionuclides called radon decay products, radon daughters, or radon progeny.

It is radon that most readily occurs in the environment. Atmospheric releases of radon results in the formation of decay products that are radioisotopes of heavy metals polonium, lead, bismuth and rapidly attach to other airborne materials such as dust and other materials facilitating inhalation. USE: Radon has been used in some spas for presumed medical effects. Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph. Radon Chemical and Physical Properties. Atomic Number 2 on the Periodic Table.

Francium Facts Atomic Number 87 or Fr. Hydrogen Facts - H or Atomic Number 1. Plutonium Facts Pu or Atomic Number Interesting Xenon Facts and Uses in Chemistry. Your Privacy Rights.

To change or withdraw your consent choices for ThoughtCo. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. Since radium was expensive and in great demand for the treatment of cancer, radon gas, which is a natural decay product of radium, also was thought to have similar curative powers.

In the United States, epidemiological studies conducted after WWII showed there was an unusually high incidence of lung cancer among uranium miners. Eventually, occupational limits were established for radon concentrations in uranium mines. Stanley Watras, a worker at the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant located in eastern Pennsylvania, set off a radiation detector upon entering the nuclear power plant.

At the time the nuclear power plant was under construction and had not received its nuclear fuel. The utility discovered extremely elevated levels of radon in his new home. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania began testing homes for radon and found elevated levels of radon in them as well.