Radon inhalation

TABLE 2-1. Levels of Significant Exposure to Radon-Inhalation... 

Cohn S, Skew R, Gong J. 1953. Radon inhalation studies in rats. Arch Ind Hyg Occup Med 7 508-515. 

Cross F. 1988. Radon inhalation studies in animals. DOE/ER-0396. Prepared by Pacific Northwest Laboratory, Richland, Washington. Prepared for Office of Energy Research, U.S. Department of Energy. 

Poncy J, Walter C, Fritsch P, et al. 1980. Delayed SCE frequency in rat bone-marrow cells after radon inhalation. In Sanders C, et al., eds. Pulmonary toxicology of respirable particles. 19th Hanford Life Sciences Symposium, Richland, Washington, Oct 22-24, 1979. USDOE, 479-485. 

Several studies have been conducted to determine the occupational exposure to radon in thermal spas. One of these studies carried out in the USA has showed a correlation between the exposure to radon and the incidence of thyroid cancer and a high probability between this type of exposure and the incidence of both stomach and lung cancers resulting from ingestion and inhalation, respectively (Jalili-Majareshin et al., 2012). It is estimated that radon inhalation in confined environments contributes to about 20 000 deaths per year in the USA and between 2 000 and 3 000 deaths in the United Kingdom, caused by lung cancer (Ferreira, 2009). 

In a study conducted by Erdogan (2013) in another region of Turkey, Konya, the concentration levels of radon in thermal water samples varied from 0.60 + 0.11 to 70.34 + 3.55 kBq/m3 in the spring and from 0.67 + 0.03 to 36.53 + 4.68 kBq/m3 in the summer. The calculated effective doses due to radon inhalation ranged between 0.09 and 10.13 nSv in spring and between 0.10 and 5.26 nSv in the summer, considering a radon equilibrium factor of 0.4, an indoor occupancy factor of 0.8 through an... 

One gram of radium produces about 0.0001 ml (stp) of emanation, or radon gas, per day. This is pumped from the radium and sealed in minute tubes, which are used in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. One gram of radium yields about 4186 kj per year. Radium is used in producing self-luminous paints, neutron sources, and in medicine for the treatment of disease. Some of the more recendy discovered radioisotopes, such as Co, are now being used in place of radium. Some of these sources are much more powerful, and others are safer to use. Radium loses about 1% of its activity in 25 years, being transformed into elements of lower atomic weight. Lead is a fintil product of disintegration. Stored radium should be ventilated to prevent build-up of radon. Inhalation, injection, or body exposure to radium can cause cancer and other body disorders. The maximum permissible burden in the total body for Ra is 7400 becquerel. 

Histological Study to Estimate Risks of Radon Inhalation Dose on a Lung Cancer ... 

Humans are exposed to natural radiation soil is a major source of external and internal exposure of radiation. The external exposure from the soil is associated with gamma radiation and internal exposure with radon inhalation. Exposures of radiation derived from soil are different in each region. The aim of this study is to evaluate radionuclides content, Rn exhalation rates, radium equivalent activity and hazard indices in soil samples around Institute de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN) facilities. 

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