A Review on Environmental Radon and Its Potential Health Risk on Humans

Abstract

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless and radioactive inert gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Because radon is a gas, it can enter buildings through openings or cracks in the foundation. The radioactive radon gas itself decays into radioactive solids, called radon daughters. The radon daughters attach to dust particles in the air, and can be inhaled. The inhalation of radon daughters has been linked to lung cancer. As a result of this, radon has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking in the United States and other parts of the world. "WHO has suggested that homeowners take action when radon levels exceed 2.7 pCi/l in order to save themselves from lung cancer that can be caused by radon and its daughters" This Paper presents a review on the production of radon, its mode of release into the home and environment, exposure route and potential health effects. It also highlights the need to conduct nationwide radon survey in order to generate detailed data bank on radon exposure.