Radon

=Introduction to the element:= toc Discovered by German physicist, Fredrich Ernst Dorn in 1900. Dorn discovered that radium was releasing gas while studying the alpha decay of radium. Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas that is odorless, transparent, and colorless. Being part of the noble gases, Radon is a relatively inert. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and is usually found in igneous rocks and soil. It is the heaviest known gas and is about nine times denser than air, this allows it to easily penertrate common materials like paper, leather, low density plastics, paints, and certain building materials. Its most common isotops are radon-222 and radon-200, both of which occur in significant concentrations.
 * Radon**
 * Symbol**: Rn
 * Atomic Number**: 86
 * Atomic Weight**: 222
 * Group**: 18
 * Period**: 6
 * Classification**: Non-Metallic

=**History of the element:**= In the years before the element's discovery, scientists were eagerly experimenting with radioactive materials since the discovery of radioactivity by French physicist, Antoine-Henri Becquerel, in 1896. Over the next decade, scientists pushed for new advancements in this field. Marie Curie and her husband Pierre, isolated two new radioactive elements, radium and polonium. It was with these developments that Dorn was able to discover radon. Dorn studied a peculiar obsevation madeby the Curies.when radium is exposed to air, the air becomes radioactive. Dorn explored this phenomenon further and discovered that radium produces a gas when it breaks apart; radon. In the beginning, Dorn called it radium "emanation", because of emanation meaning something that has been given off. However, the name didnt stick, radon's modern name was given to it in 1923 as a reminder of where it comes from.

=**Environment:**= == Some scientists believe that radon has been present in the earth's crust for billions of years. Radon is produced from the radioactive decay of radium and uranium. It is usually found in soil and bedrock, which can be right underneath your feet. Radon can be present in your home if you have cracks in your foundation most likely in your basement because it is surrounded by soil. Radon can also be present in your water supply because of the soil around it, but is less dangerous than if it is inhaled. Once in your house, radon gas can become trapped and slowly build up causing more damage. An article in Parade Magazine, concerned a house in Boyertown, PA, where Stanely and his family were living there in 1984. Stanely worked as a construction engineer at the Limerick Nuclear Power Generating Station. One day, Stanley visited the plant's radiation detection sector, and when he stepped into it, his radiation levels were so high that the monitor gave out. Since Stanley did not work directly with radioactive materials, it must have been coming from another source. The Watra's house was tested for radiation and the results showed extreme radon radiation had been polluting the house. This led to a nation wide study on radon in households. In the mid 1980s, many states were taking nation wide surveys to see whether radon posed as a threat to households. In 1986, the Virginia Department of Health conducted a state-wide survey of 800 homes and found that about 12% had levels of radon above 4 picocuries/liter, which is dangerously high. Similar stories were seen across the country. According to the article by Kate Murphy, //What's Lurking In Your Countertop?,// some granite countertops contain radioactive elements like uranium, thorium, and potassium. Although the radiation from the granite doesn't pose as a serious threat because it emits them are very low levels. However, it has been noted that a kitchen with certain granite countertops, had the highest levels of radon in the house. The U.S EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), suggests that you test your household for radon radiation. Elevated radon levels have been discovered in every state, so there is no exception. You can test it yourself or call a professional to come and inspect your home. Testing is easy and commonly inexpensive. Radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your house up to 99% and can be installed fairly quickly.

=**Health:**= The U.S EPA and the Surgeon General's Office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year are caused by radon. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The inhalation of the gas allows for the radioactive metallic products like polonium, lead, and bismuth to stick to the lining of cells leading to your lungs. If you are a smoker and are exposed to radon radiation, the risk of getting lung cancer is greatly increased about three times. Early miners in present day Austria were known to die relatively young with no explanation. It wasnt until a century later that their cause of death was recognized as lung cancer. Studies showed that cancer was noted to be found most commonly in uranium miners. Eventually occupational limitations were established for miners working in uranium mines because of the high concentration of radon gas. No other harmful effects have been discovered. However, on the opposite side of the spectrum, some doctors suggest radon radiation therapy for some chronic illnesses. This is an alternative low dose radiation that is said to have beneficial effects on the body and has been recognized by the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation. It is said to alleviate some of the following illnesses;


 * Diabetes Type I & II
 * Asthma
 * Emphysema
 * Bronchitis
 * Cancer (Breast)
 * High Fever

Many spas and health centers around the world are dedicated to radon radiation therapy and attract thousands of people each year. The most popular in American is the Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine, located in Boulder, Montana. The facility has been in business since 1924 and has grown to be popular, attracting people from around the world.

=**Economics**:= When you buy a home the cost of a Radon Test is about $200.00 depending on the amount of monitors needed to test the home. There is a one in three chance the house will test over the action level and need mitigation. When you sell, your house will likely be tested for Radon. By then the cost of mitigation will be about $2800.00 on average. Now you have a 1 in 3 chance of spending $2800.00.If you do not believe the science you should believe the economics of your decision. The cost of not testing will only increase over time. The cost of mitigation is too high not to test. I do urge you to go to the above resources and get the real facts. Lastly, your home inspector cannot with a visual inspection tell you if you need to test for radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It is also found in all types of homes. Homes with basements, crawlspaces, and even slab on grade have all tested over the action level. Radon has been found in town homes also. The only way to know about your radon level in the home is to test. There are companies you can find on the internet to use:


 * Air Quality Control : 1-800-NO-RADON
 * Connecticut Basement Systems Radin inc. : 1-888-704-4259
 * Powers Environmental : 1-877-898-6653[[image:radon.jpg width="256" height="171" align="right"]]

=**Chemistry/Physics:**=
 * Electron Configuration**: [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6
 * Word Origin**: from radium. Radon was once called niton, from the Latin word nitens, which means 'shining'
 * Isotopes**: At least 20 isotopes of radon are known. Radon-222 is called thoron and emanates naturally from thorium. Thoron is an alpha-emitter with a half-life of 54.5 sec. Radon-219 is called actinon and emanates from actinium. It is an alpha-emitter with a half-life of 3.92 sec.
 * Properties**: Radon has a melting point of -71° C, boiling point of -61.8 °C, gas density of 9.73 g/l, specific gravity of the liquid state of 4.4 at -62°C, specific gravity of the solid state of 4, usually with a valence of 0 (it does form some compounds, however, such as radon fluoride). Radon is a colorless gas at normal temperatures. It is also the heaviest of the gases. When it is cooled below its freezing point it displays a brilliant phosphorescence. The phosphorescence is yellow as the temperature is lowered, becoming orange-red at the temperature of liquid air. Inhalation of radon presents a health risk. Radon build-up is a health consideration when working with radium, thorium, or actinium. It is also a potential issue in uranium mines.
 * Sources**: It is estimated that each square mile of soil to a depth of 6 inches contains approximately 1 g of radium, which releases radon to the atmosphere. The average concentration of radon is about 1 sextillion parts of air. Radon naturally occurs in some spring waters.
 * Element Classification**: Inert Gas
 * Density** (g/cc): 4.4 (@ -62°C)
 * Melting Point** (K): 202
 * Boiling Point** (K): 211.4
 * Appearance**: heavy radioactive gas
 * Specific Heat** (@20°C J/g mol): 0.094
 * Evaporation Heat** (kJ/mol): 18.1
 * First Ionizing Energy** (kJ/mol): 1036.5
 * Lattice Structure**:Face-Centered Cubic

=**Interesting Fact:**= =media type="youtube" key="WcvoZ1pP3ak?fs=1" height="385" width="480"= This Video shows the story of Eddie, a man whos live has been changed by Radon gas. This interesting fact shows how people dont expect it to hurt them and it shows people that they should get their house tested becuase Radon is a health hazard.

=**References:**= "A Citizen's Guide to Radon | Radon | US EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency. EPA, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <@http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html>.

"Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine." Free Enterprise Radon Health Mine. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <@http://www.radonmine.com/why.html>.

MURPHY, KATE. "What’s Lurking in Your Countertop? - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. N.p., 24 July 2008. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <@http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/garden/24granite.html?_r=1&scp=3&sq=Radon&st=cse>.

Radon History | Environmental Assistance Office | UNC Charlotte." //Environmental Assistance Office | Environmental Assistance Office | UNC Charlotte//. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Jan. 2011. "Radon." Radon-What is it?. Education Center, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. .

"Radon in Minnesota Homes - EH: Minnesota Department of Health." Minnesota Department of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <@http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/index.html>.

Radon | Indoor Air | US EPA." US Environmental Protection Agency. EPA, n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <@http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html>.

"Radon, Chemical Element - Overview, Discovery and naming, Physical properties, Chemical properties, Occurrence in nature, Isotopes." Chemistry: Foundations and Applications. Advameg Inc., n.d. Web. 17 Jan. 2011. <@http://www.chemistryexplained.com/elements/P-T/Radon.html>.

Eddie. "Eddies Story." //Radon//. Benjamin Schultz, 8 Aug. 2008. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. [].

Helmenstine, Anne M. "Radon." //Radon Facts//. About.com, 2011. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. [].

Schiavone, PN. "What Is Radon?" //Radon//. Helium, 2011. Web. 18 Jan. 2011. [].