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A2. Radon is a decay product of Uranium, and is about 6 radioactive decay steps from U238. The Uranium occurs in some granite rocks, and as buildings are often made from this durable rock, Radon is generated from the building fabric. It is considered that exposure to Radon gas is second only to cigarettes as the cause of lung cancers in the US. Some unfortunate towns, such as Dundee, sit on the granite and build the houses of it, and this is a serious local problem. Basements and attics should have adequate ventilation to remove the gas.

It is not an abundant gas, and perhaps there are some tens of grams of Rn in the Earth's atmosphere. This eventually decays into lead, and is continuously replaced by new Rn from U decay.

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14y ago

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