Environmental issues radon

The initial exploration and subsequent drilling in the Windsor area was sparked by the discovery of radon anomalies in the soil gas and well waters in the area (Quarch et al. 1981 Fig. 2). In addition, uranium and radium in well waters were weakly anomalous in the area. It is therefore not difficult to infer that these geochemical techniques are useful exploration tools for deposits of this type and that there are environmental Issues related to uranium occurrences in the Horton Group. 

Although this paper deals primarily with uranium and radon from occurrences in the Windsor area of Nova Scotia, the areal extent of the Horton Group strata throughout eastern Canada would seem to imply that environmental issues related to the Horton Group uranium mineralization might exist throughout the Maritimes Basin. 

Coupled with the energy consumption is the environmental effect from production of these binders. For every ton of phosphoric acid, 5 ton of phosphogypsum (calcium sulfate) is produced [15]. This waste can be recycled into value-added products such as gypsum board, but often there is a radioactivity issue. Some phosphogypsum contains radium and emanates radon gas. At the present time, such waste can only be disposed in a landfill. 

Improvements Needed in the Environmental Protection Agency s Testing Programs for Radon Testimony Hearing Before the H. Subcomm. on Natural Resources, Agriculture Research, and Environment, Comm, on Science, Space and Technology, GAO/T-RCED-90-54, 1 (May, 16, 1990) (Statement for the Record by Richard L. Hembra, Director, Environmental Protection Issues Resources, Community, and Economic Development Division, EPA). 

Biancotto R, Marinaro M, and Tommasino L (1998) Natural and enhanced environmental radon. Special issue. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 78 1-82. Campos-Venuti G, Janssens A, Olast M, et al. (1993) Indoor radon remedial action - the scientific basis and practical implications. Special issue. Radiation Protection Dosimetry 56 1-387. 

The presence of radon gas has become a much publicized environmental and health issue because of the radiation danger it poses. Radioactive isotopes such as radium-226 are naturally present in many types of rocks and soils. Radium-226 emits an alpha particle and is converted into radon gas, which diffuses out of the rocks and sou. 

---