Radon in the environment

Marine air from off the oceans of the world comes in to the continents bearing slightly increased levels of carbon dioxide and other substances characteristic of a civilized and increasingly industrialized society. The fact that this air contains natural radioactivity in small quantities has been recognized in only relatively recent times. Present in the air in readily detectable amounts is radon which comes primarily from the soil where very small amounts of its parent, radium, exists. Radon is a naturally radioactive inert gas that becomes a hazard only when found in concentrations such as those encountered in unventilated uranium mines. The fact that it is mildly radioactive, and does not combine with other gases, makes it unique as a tracer for the studying of a number of processes in the indoor and outdoor atmospheres. The discovery of radon, its characteristics, and sources in the environment as well as methods of control and use in research in the atmosphere are described. Possible health effects from extended exposure at high levels of concentration are treated also. (author). 177 refs.; 15 figs.; 18 tabs