radon /ra·don/ (ra´don) a gaseous radioactive element, at. no. 86, symbol Rn, resulting from decay of radium.
radon (Rn)
radon,
radon
ra·don (r  d n)n. Symbol Rn A radioactive, largely inert gaseous element formed by the radioactive decay of radium and used as a radiation source in radiotherapy and research; its most stable isotope is Rn 222 with a half-life of 3.82 days. Atomic number 86. |
radon (Rn)
[rā′don]
Etymology: L, radiare, to emit rays
a radioactive, chemically inert, gaseous element. Its atomic number is 86, and its atomic mass is 222. A decay product of radium, radon is used in radiation cancer therapy. Radon is also released by rocks, soil, and groundwater and is a common source of background radiation, with an intensity that varies in different geographic areas.
radon,
n A byproduct of radium decomposition used in radiotherapy.
radon
a chemical element, atomic number 86, atomic weight 222, symbol Rn. See Table 6. Radon is a colorless, gaseous, radioactive element produced by the disintegration of radium.
radon
222Ra Public health A natural radioactive gaseous element, atomic number 86; atomic weight, 211.4 in the 238U → 206Pb decay chain; radon has a T1⁄2 of 3.8 days, decays into 2 solid α particle-emitting
daughters; radon exposure carries a relative risk of 12.7 for lung CA in non-smoking uranium miners and an ↑ risk of childhood CA, myelogenous leukemia, renal cell carcinoma, melanoma, prostate CA. See Radionics, Radium Dial Company.
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