It is obtained by the natural radioactive decay of uranium, which is found organically in rocks and soils.
In addition, it is found in water. It emanates easily from the ground then passes into the air, followed by its disintegration and the emission of radioactive particles. The Electron configuration of radon is Xe 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6. Its spectrum of elements is very similar to that of inert gases.
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Electron configuration of Radon
According to their Electron configuration, these are distributed as follows:
- 2 electrons orbiting 1s
- 2 electrons in 2s orbit
- 6 electrons in 2p orbit
- 2 electrons in 3s orbit
- 6 electrons in orbit l 3p
- 10 electrons in 3d orbit
- 2 electrons in 4s orbit
- 6 electrons in 4p orbit
- 10 electrons in 4d orbit
- 2 electrons orbiting 5s
- 6 electrons in 5p orbit
- 14 electrons orbiting 4f
- 10 electrons in 5d orbit
- 2 electrons in 6s orbit
- 6 electrons in 6p orbit
radon isotopes
All 37 isotopes of this element are radioactive. Its most stable isotope is 222Rn, whose half-life is 3.823 days, the decomposition of which gives way to 218Po. Among its other isotopes are 217Rn, 218Rn, 219Rn, 220Rn and 222Rn, which are produced after the decay of 217At, 218At, 223Ra, 224Ra and 226Ra, in the same order. There are also the 235U, 232Th, 237Np and 238U
Radon Effects on Health
In nature, this element is mostly in the gas phase, so humans are exposed to radon by breathing air.
In outdoor air, their background levels are usually very low, however, in enclosed areas this changes, they reach very high levels. In buildings, homes and schools, which are enclosed spaces, radon enters through cracks in underground built-up areas, such as basements.
Exposure of a person to high levels of this element through breathing can cause lung disease. If the exposure is long-term, ie over several years, lung cancer may develop. Radon can also be present in many deep wells from which humans are supplied with drinking water, so there is exposure through this route as well.
In groundwater, radon levels are very high, but radon is regularly released into the air when groundwater reaches surface water.
It is important to know that although radon can be radioactive, it emits very little gamma radiation, so exposure to this element is unlikely to cause harmful effects without very close contact with its components.
To date, other than the lungs, it is not known whether radon is capable of causing health effects in other organs, and the effects that radon in food and drinking water can cause are also unknown. .
Environmental effects of radon
Most of them composed of this element found in nature come from human activities. Radon reaches the environment through phosphate and uranium mines, through soil and also through coal combustion.
Part of this element present in the soil rises to the surface and enters the air by evaporation. Although it reaches surface waters, most of it will remain in the ground.
Half of the amount of radon decays into other components. Its radioactive half-life is about four days in total, which means compounds of this element will cause less damage every four days.