Radon

Agent Name
Radon
CAS Number
10043-92-2
Formula
Rn
Major Category
Physical/Radiation
Category
Radionuclides
Description
A naturally occurring gas that is colorless, odorless, and chemically inert; [EPA Radionuclides]
Sources/Uses
Has been used to treat cancer; [EPA Radionuclides]
Comments
Most Important Radionuclide: Radon-222
Source: Decay product of radium-226 in the decay series of uranium-238
Half-Life: 3.8 days
Specific Activity: 160,000 Ci/gm
Decay Mode: Alpha
Critical Organ: Lung
Internal Toxicity: High
Annual Limit on Intake: 0.1 mCi
Radiation Energy (MeV): Alpha 5.49 (100%) + daughters;
See "Estimating the burden of lung cancer in Canada attributed to occupational radon exposure using a novel exposure assessment method." [PMID 32232555]
[See Glossary for references.] See "Radiation, ionizing."
Restricted
One in 15 homes in the USA have levels above 4 pCi/l, the level that EPA recommends homeowners not exceed; [EPA Radionuclides]
Biomedical References

Exposure Assessment

Explanatory Notes
OSHA, MSHA, and ACGIH have set the dose limits for workers exposed to radon daughters at 4 Working Level Months (WLM/year). [ATSDR Case Studies]
Reference Link #2

Diseases, Processes, and Activities Linked to This Agent

Diseases

Occupational diseases associated with exposure to this agent:

Processes

Industrial Processes with risk of exposure: