22/02/2022
Today is ‘TWOs-Day’ 22/2/22! Let’s take a closer look at radon-222.
Radon-222 is a naturally occurring radioactive isotope that’s produced in the ground when uranium decays. A gas, radon-222 diffuses into the air and can accumulate in homes and buildings in geological areas with high uranium content, such granites and shales. Making it one of the largest sources of radiation exposure in the world.
Long-term exposure to radon can cause lung cancer and globally, radon is a leading cause of the disease, second only to cigarette smoking. Households in radon prone areas can be protected through ventilation and the IAEA has safety standards and guidelines for public protection against radon-222:
However, radon-222’s unique properties means it’s not always a threat and scientists use radon-222 as a natural tracer to find uranium, study groundwater–surface water interactions and the atmosphere, and even to predict earthquakes. https://bit.ly/3rWBF2r
