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Is radon harmful when inhaled?

Updated: 5/31/2024
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14y ago

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Yes. Radon is an inert gas. And it is radioactive. It is a naturally occurring radioactive daughter of radium, which is radioactive (and that's why it is decaying into radon) and is found naturally in the rocks, soil and water in certain areas.

Radon is "heavy" and will collect in low, poorly ventilated places in structures in areas where ground radium is high. And, because it is an inert gas, it is an airborne radioactive hazard.

Breathing in radon is very dangerous. It has a short half-life, and if it undergoes a nuclear decay in the lungs, radiation damage occurs. Additionally, all the daugher products of radon down to lead are radioactive and the continuous decay will further expose the individual to more radiation damage. The decay schemes are alpha and beta decay, and the energies carried away from the decay event are large. A lot of tissue damage will occur. And continue to occur.

Radon is an underestimated contributor to causes of lung cancer.

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12y ago
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1mo ago

Yes, radon can be harmful when inhaled in high concentrations. It is a radioactive gas that can increase the risk of lung cancer, especially if exposure levels are elevated over a long period of time. It is important to test for radon levels in indoor spaces and take measures to mitigate high concentrations.

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14y ago

Yes, radon is dangerous when is inhaled longtime; radon is an important cause of lung cancers.

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