Radon Sources and Associated Risk in Terms of Exposure and Dose

Abstract

Radon concerns the international scientific community from the early twentieth century, initially as radium emanation and nearly the second half of the century as a significant hazard to human health. The initial brilliant period of its use as medicine was followed by a period of intense concern for its health effects. Miners in Europe and later in the U.S were the primary target groups surveyed. Nowadays, there is a concrete evidence that radon and its progeny can cause lung cancer (1). Human activities may create or modify pathways increasing indoor radon concentration compared to outdoor background. These pathways can be controlled by preventive and corrective actions (2). Indoor radon and its short-lived progeny either attached on aerosol particles or free, compose an air mixture that carries a significant energy amount [Potential Alpha-Energy Concentration (PAEC)]. Prior research at that topic focused on the exposure on PAEC and the dose delivered by the human body or tissues. Special mention was made to the case of water workers due to inadequate data. Furthermore, radon risk assessment and relevant legislation for the dose delivered by man from radon and its progeny has been also reviewed.

Computational Fluid Dynamic Simulation of Inhaled Radon Dilution by Auxiliary Ventilation in a Stone-Coal Mine Laneway and Dosage Assessment of Miners

“…Rn has recently drawn much attention, due to its radioactivity in underground workplaces which can cause over-exposure in miners [1,2]. 222 Rn (radon; Rn) is widely found in underground rocks as a product of uranium decay and can diffuse from rock pores to the working space during mining operations.…”

Radon Biomonitoring and microRNA in Lung Cancer

“…They disintegrate to form isotopes of polonium ( 218 Po), lead ( 214 Pb), and bismuth. The half-life of radon can range from a minute ( 220 Rn) to several days ( 222 Rn) and is accompanied by the release of alpha particles (Figure 1) [19]. Figure 1.…”

Alpha Emitters Radioactivity Concentrations in Some Cosmetics Used in Iraq Using Lr-115 Detector

“…Radioactive substances are absorbed and introduced into basic biochemical processes and access to a circulation of the blood and body fluids, are distributed to all body tissues according to the element properties [12]. Radon, radium, and uranium, these fatal elements if consumed, they lead to malfunction damage in the bones, kidneys, the radon is an important element that can cause lung cancer, So their quantity must be under control [13].…”