Radon is a chemical element; it has symbol Rn and atomic number 86. It is a radioactive noble gas and is colorless and odorless. Of the three naturally occurring radon isotopes, only 222 Rn has a sufficiently long half-life (3.825 days) for it to be released from the soil and rock where it …

Radon is a radioactive substance, which means it emits radiation (a type of energy). Radiation can damage your cells, leading to cancer. Experts estimate that radon exposure is the second most common cause of lung cancer (the first is smoking).

Aug 7, 2024 · Radon is a radioactive gas you can't see, feel, taste, or smell. It forms naturally when uranium — a heavy metal found in the ground and most rocks on the planet — decays, turning into another...

Jan 25, 2023 · Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which may be found in high concentrations in indoor environments, such as homes and workplaces. Radon is one of the leading causes of lung cancer.

Nov 20, 2024 · 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 …

Feb 16, 2024 · Radon is an odorless and invisible radioactive gas naturally released from rocks, soil, and water. Radon can get trapped inside homes and buildings, and build up in the air. Over time, breathing in high levels of radon can cause lung cancer.

Feb 6, 2025 · Radon (chemical symbol Rn) is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium and radium found in nearly all rocks and soils. Radon can move up from the ground into buildings through openings in floors or …

Aug 18, 2023 · Radon is a radioactive gas that has no colour, smell or taste. It is produced in the ground from uranium and diffuses into the atmosphere. High concentrations of radon may build up in enclosed spaces such as buildings and long-term exposure can increase the risk of …

Radon (Rn) is a radioactive gas (Lewis 2001) that naturally occurs in different forms known as isotopes. Radon is a chemically and biologically inert noble gas. Its nucleus is heavily neutron-rich, making it radioactive. Radon’s half-life is 3.8 days. Radon is present in air, water, and soil. Radon will undergo radioactive decay in the ...

Radon breaks down into solid radioactive elements called radon progeny (such as polonium-218, polonium-214, and lead-214). Radon progeny can attach to dust and other particles and can be inhaled into the lungs. As radon and radon progeny in the air break down, they give off radiation that can damage the DNA inside the body’s cells.