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There are twenty known isotopes of radon. The most stable isotope is radon-222 which is a decay product ( daughter isotope ) of radium-226, has a half-life of 3.823 days and emits radioactive alpha particles. Radon-220 is a natural decay product of thorium and is called thoron. It has a half-life of 55.6 seconds and also emits alpha rays. Radon-219 is derived from actinium, is called actinon, is an alpha emitter and has a half-life of 3.96 seconds.
Radon is a carcinogenic gas. Radon is a radioactive material and must be handled with care at all times. It is hazardous to inhale this element since it emits alpha particles.
Also, its solid decay products, and their respective products, tend to form a fine dust which can easily enter the airways and become permanently stuck in lung tissue, producing heavy localized exposure. Rooms where radium, actinium, or thorium are stored should be well-ventilated in order to prevent build-up in the air. The build-up of radon is a potential health hazard in uranium and some lead mines. Build-up of radon in homes has also been a more recent health concern and many lung cancer cases are attributed to radon exposure each year. Indoors radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the U.S. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. About 12% of lung cancers in the U.S. are attributable to radon.
Radon is of greatly increased danger to smokers. The solid decay products of radon ( polonium...) staying in the atmosphere in dust form can fix themselves on the microparticles in tobacco smoke, which then enter the lungs.
Radon was a popular additive in products like toothpaste, hair creams and even food items in the early 20th century, due to its supposed curative powers. Radon was subsequently removed when its carcinogenic properties were discovered. However, there are still radon baths and hot springs in Japan. These baths promote radon by saying that it cures illnesses like hypertension and hemorrhoids. There are simillar radon treatment centers in the U.S.[1] and elsewere which are usually billed as 'health centers' etc.
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