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ESSAY SAMPLE ON "AN OVERVIEW OF THE NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE ELEMENT, RADON" |
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive element that can be found in soil, underground
water, and outdoor air. Some of the properties of this gas include being odorless,
tasteless, and colorless. The concentrations vary throughout the country depending on
the types of rocks that are found in the soil. Exposure over prolonged periods of time
to radon decay products has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer.(3)
The EPA describes an elevated concentration as being at or above their suggested
guidelines of 4pCi/l (pico Curies per liter, used as a radiation unit of measure for
radon). Exposures below this level may create a risk of lung cancer, farther reductions
to lower levels may be too difficult or even impossible to achieve.(4)
Radon enters buildings through: exposed soil in crawl spaces, through cracks, openings
in floors, and through below grade walls and floors. This is the primary source of
elevated radon levels in buildings.(5) Outdoor air contains radon, but it is in
extremely low concentrations therefore it is not a health hazard. Some wells contain
water that has radon dissolved in it. This can be a hazard if the water is agitated or
heated, allowing the gas to escape and elevate the levels that are in the building.(6)
Health Risk
The Surgeon General's office reports that indoor radon gas is a national health problem.
This gas causes thousands of deaths every year.(7) These deaths are a result of lung
cancer, which is caused by the radioactive particles that make up the gas.(8) The
likelihood of getting lung cancer from radon depends on: the concentration that you are
exposed to, the amount of time that you are exposed, and whether you smoke or not. The
radioactive particles are inhaled when we breathe, and become trapped in the lungs. Once
in the lungs they release small amounts of energy that can damage the tissue of the lungs
which in turn can cause cancer.(9)
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, with smoking being number one
according to the Surgeon Generals office.(10) Smoking greatly increases the risk of
getting lung cancer. Non smokers are allot less likely to get lung cancer from radon
than smokers.(11) Radon is a big problem because a majority of the population spends
most of its time indoors. This increases the amount of time that they are exposed, and
the likelihood that they will get lung cancer.(12)
Where Radon Originates
Radon is created by the radioactive decay of uranium found in rocks, soil, and water.
Uranium and its by products of decay, namely radon are abundant and are constantly being
generated.(13) Radon is capable of easily traveling through rocks and soil.(14) The gas
is also found dissolved in water, due to decay in the soil or rock below.(15)
Radon in Water
The risk from radon in water is much lower than the risk from radon in air. This is
because the water must be heated or agitated to release the gas. This can happen in a
shower, boiling water on a stove, or by using a washing machine. Most public water
supplies don't present a radon risk, this is because the water is aerated at the
treatment site and the gas escapes into the atmosphere. Most water that contains
hazardous amounts of radon comes from wells. Wells should be tested for radon if the
building that they are supplying contains hazardous amounts in the air. The testing
procedures for water are different from those used on air.(16)
Water containing radon can usually be treated. The most effective treatment is to
remove radon from the water before it enters the home, this is called point of entry
treatment. Water can also be treated at the tap, this is known as point of use
treatment. However this treatment is much less effective at removing the risk.(17)
Radon Entry
Radon travels through the ground and into the air, allowing the gas to easily enter
buildings and homes. There are many ways that the gas can enter a building. Cracks in
concrete slabs allow the gas to enter through the floor. The gas also enters through
pores and cracks that are found in concrete foundations. Faulty wall to floor joints
also allow entry. Exposed soil creates more radon as uranium decays within the soil. A
weeping drain tile that is drained to an open sump will cause radon to enter the home
more easily. Loose pipe fittings will allow enough of an opening to let radon gas enter.
Open tops of block walls let the gas move from the foundation and release in an open
area. Also certain building materials, such as rock used in interior construction of
fireplaces, will release the gas. Domestic use of well water allows the gas to enter
through showers and through agitation processes.
Testing
The EPA reports that radon has been found in homes all across the United States.(18)
Testing is the essential key to knowing whether a home is at risk from radon.(19) To
test for radon special equipment must be used.(20) There are a number of
different devices for testing for radon on the market today. Some devices are known as
passive devices, and require no power to operate. They consist of charcoal canisters,
alpha track devices and charcoal liquid scintillation. All of these devices are
relatively simple, and can be purchased at hardware stores. These devices are exposed to
air in the building for a specified length of time and then sent out to a processing
laboratory for analysis.(21) Active devices are test equipment that requires power to
operate. These devices continuously monitor for radon. They do this by recording the
amount of radon that is decaying in the building's air. This type of testing is more
costly because it requires a professional, as well as expensive equipment.(22) Testing
can either be long term or short term. Long term tests run for more than ninety days.
Alpha track devices are most commonly used for this type of test. The most common short
term tests are charcoal canisters and continuous monitors.(23)
Reducing Radon Levels
There are a number of methods that can be used to reduce the amounts of radon that enter
a building. Soil suction is one such method, it draws the radon from below the building
and vents it to the atmosphere, where it is quickly diluted. Another method is active
subslab suction, this is the most common method. It uses suction pipes that are inserted
through the floor slab into the soil beneath it. These pipes use a fan to pull the gas
out from below the house and up into the atmosphere. Another method is known as passive
subslab suction, it is the same as active subslab suction except that it uses air
currents in place of the fan. Drain tiles can be used to direct water away from the
foundation. Yet another method is sump hole suction, this method is used in basements
that have sump pump. By capping the pump, it can continue to drain water and serve as a
location for a radon suction device. Ventilation is another popular method of removing
the gas. Sometimes just opening the basement windows is enough other times the use of a
fan may be required. Sealing cracks in the foundation also helps to prevent some gas
from entering and it also helps reduce the loss of heated or cooled air. Another type of
ventilation is heat recovery ventilation, it will increase the air circulation and will
use heated or cooled air that is being exhausted to warm or cool the incoming fresh
air.(24)
Conclusion
In conclusion, radon causes many problems. According to the surgeon general's office it
is the second leading cause of cancer.(25) This is due to the radioactive particles
decaying in the lungs and releasing energy that can cause tissue destruction that leads
to cancer. Radon is found almost everywhere. So it must be dealt with. Some common ways
are to reduce the amounts of the gas that enter the home are sealing cracks and
ventilating the building. Due to the gas being colorless and odorless special testing
equipment was designed to monitor it. This testing should be done by homeowners and
business owners that are concerned about the safety of inhabitants. Through testing and
corrective measures radon can effectively be dealt with.
Citations
1. Radon Reduction in New Construction. Washington: GPO, March, 1993.
2. Home Buyer's and Sellers Guide to Radon. Washington: GPO, March, 1993.
3. Murphy, James. "The Colorless, Odorless Killer". TIME: July, 1985: P.72
4. ibid. P.21
5. Consumers Guide to Radon Reduction. Washington: GPO, August, 1992. P.4
6. ibid. P.5
7. A Guide to Radon. Washington: GPO, September, 1993. P.14
8. ibid. P.9
9. ibid. P.15
10. ibid. P.3
11. ibid. P.3
12. ibid. P.5
13. ibid. P.6
14. ibid. P.13
15. ibid. P.7
16. ibid. P.2
17. ibid. P.2
18. Murphy, James. "The Colorless, Odorless Killer". TIME: July, 1985: P.72
19. A Guide to Radon. Washington: GPO, September, 1993. P.14
20. ibid. P.9
21. ibid. P.19
22. ibid. P.19
23. ibid. P.6
24. ibid. P.17
25. ibid. P.2
Bibliography
1. A Guide to Radon. Washington: GPO, September, 1993
2. Consumers Guide to Radon Reduction. Washington: GPO, August, 1992.
3. Home Buyer's and Sellers Guide to Radon. Washington: GPO, March, 1993.
4. Murphy, James. "The Colorless, Odorless Killer". TIME: July, 1985
5. Radon Reduction in New Construction. Washington: GPO, March, 1993.
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