Radon - 86Rn: biological information
Radon has no biological role.
Levels in humans
The abundances of the elements in humans.
- Human abundance by weight: (no data) ppb by weight
- Human abundance by atoms: (no data) atoms relative to C = 1000000
How much radon is in your body? Find out here.
You can use this form to calculate how much radon your body contains. Enter your weight in either kilograms or pounds and click the "Calculate" button. You must enter a number, not text! Elements for which there are no data will always give a value of zero for the weight, no matter what you put in the weight box.
Hazards and Risks
Hazards and risks associated with radon:
Radon emits α particles. The main hazard is from inhalation of the element and its radiodecay products which collect on dust in the air. This might be a hazard in, for instance, uranium mines. Recently, radon buildup in homes and cellars from the surrounding soil and rocks has become a safety issue and some areas around the world test homes for radon gas. Part of the problem is that it is the heaviest known gas. Radon is present in some spring waters. Chemically, radon gas is not a hazard.
References
- J.E. Huheey, E.A. Keiter, and R.L. Keiter in Inorganic Chemistry : Principles of Structure and Reactivity, 4th edition, HarperCollins, New York, USA, 1993.
- S. Budavari (Ed.) in The Merck Index, 11th ed., Merck, USA, 1989.
- N.N. Greenwood and A. Earnshaw in Chemistry of the Elements, 2nd edition, Butterworth, UK, 1997.