Radon in the Environment

Introduction. Historical Perspective. Discovery of Radon. The Radiation Environment. Radioactivity. Radioactive Decay. Chemistry and Physics of Radon. Isotopes of Radon. Physical Properties. Source of Radon in Rocks and Soils. Uranium, Thorium and Actinium. Radium - The Parent Element. Emanation Properties. Radon, Thoron and Actinon. Radon - Soil to Air. Transport Processes. Measurement. Results of Flux Density Measurements. Radon in the Atmosphere. Ground Level. Vertical Distribution. Continental and Marine Air Masses. Diurnal and Seasonal Changes. Radon as a Tracer in the Atmosphere. Transport Processes. Radon Decay Products in the Atmosphere. Unattached Radon Decay Products. Decay Products Attached to Aerosols. Effect Upon the Electrical Character of the Atmosphere. Ionization. Concentration. Conductivity. Mobility. Radon Underground. Radon in an Underground Cavity. Radon in a Tunnel. Radon in Mines. Radon in Water. Public Water Supplies. Sea Water. Indoor Radon. Sources and Transport. Equilibrium and Plateout. Ventilation. Methods for Control. Surveys. Health Effects. Radiation from Radon and its Decay Products. The Human Dose. Impact. Spas. Appendix: The Uranium Series. The Thorium Series. The Actinium Series. Subject Index.