Radon

Radon is a radioactive noble gas, released from rock and soil, that is colourless, odourless and tasteless (so you'll never be aware if exposed). As it is denser than air radon often accumulates in basements, mines, tunnels and under-floor spaces, as well as water. Despite the short half life of it's most stable isotope: 3.8 days, radon will be present on earth for billions of years as it is produced as part of the decay of uranium (238) and thorium (232), both of which have half lives of many billions of years.

Prolonged radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer, the first being smoking. Radon exposure and smoking increases an individual's lung cancer risk significantly. Radon exposure may also increase the risk of leukaemia.

An issue in many areas of the world. Ventilation is the answer.

Random Facts

• discovered in 1899 by Ernest Rutherford and Robert B. Owens at McGill University, Montreal
• chemical symbol: Rn
• atomic number: 86

References

Metadata

Created: 2026-04-22

Last Updated: 2026-06-22