RADON GAS - WHERE FROM AND WHAT TO DO

Radon is sort of an outsider in nature because it is the only element that is a gas in a long chain of radioactive decays. For an individual person, exposed to radon gas for a long time, there is an increase in the risk for growth of a lung cancer. Radon may also be a causative factor for other kinds of cancer, maybe by synergy with other pollutants like tobacco smoke. Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors (SSNTD) have become an important tool in the investigation of the presence of radon gas, not only in indoor air but also in soil air. Important characteristics of radon and its progeny are discussed in this report. The use of the plastic film LR115-II in radon and radon daughter detection is also reported. Some measurement results of radon will illustrate the usefullness of SSNTD concerning the radon problem.