How is the toxicity of radon measured?

William Ramsay and Robert Whytlaw-Gray named it niton, meaning "shining," and determined that it was the heaviest gas. General toxicity related to radon exposure in living organism was discovered in 1984 with the case of Stanley Watras. Watras was an employee at the Limerick Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania. read more

Radon is an inert gas and as such is not “toxic” in the usual meaning of the word. T he definition of toxic indicates something is poisonous or dangerous by chemical action. However, although it is chemically inert, it is radioactive and that is known to cause cancer. read more

Radon and toxic elements (Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Zn and Ni) were measured in different water samples in Cameron Highlands, Pahang. RAD7 and rad H20 were used to estimate the radon concentration. read more

Radon concentration is usually measured in the atmosphere in becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m 3), which is an SI derived unit. As a frame of reference, typical domestic exposures are about 100 Bq/m 3 indoors and 10-20 Bq/m 3 outdoors. In the US, radon concentrations are often measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/l), with 1 pCi/l = 37 Bq/m 3. read more