المستخلص: |
Radon is a radioactive gas produced by the decay of radium, which results from the natural radioactive decay chains of uranium -238 and thorium -232. There are three isotopes of radon in nature, all of which decay by emitting alpha particles. They are: Rn-222, Rn-220 and Rn-219. Geology of the area under investigation plays an important role in understanding radon measurements results. Rocks that are derived from silica-rich magma such as granites and rhyolites and other acidic volcanic rocks constitute the main natural source of uranium and thorium elements which, in turn, from the main source of natural radiations including radon . When solid radium decays to from radon gas, it loses two protons and two neutrons, i.e. it emits an alpha particle (a type of radiation) which can reach people's lungs through inhalation causing probable lung cancer.
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