Question

Uranium and radium are found in many rocky soils throughout the world. Both undergo radioactive decay, and one of the products is radon-222, the heaviest noble gas (t₁/₂ = 3.82 days). Inhalation of this gas contributes to many lung cancers. According to Environmental Protection Agency recommendations, the level of radioactivity from radon in homes should not exceed 4.0 pCi/L of air.(a) What is the safe level of radon in Bq/L of air?

Answer 1

(a) 0.15 Bq/L is the safe level of radon in Bq/L of air/

Radionuclides: Uranium and Radium

So you've just had your water tested and the lab results are telling you that you've got radionuclides.

Radionuclides are radioactive isotopes or unstable forms of elements.  Radioactivity is the release of energy, radiation, that occurs when these unstable elements decay or breakdown into more stable elements.  This process is known as radioactive decay and is measured by the half-life of the element.  The half-life is the time required for half of the original element to decay.  The half-life for radionuclides can range from a few thousands of a second to a few billion years.

The two most common radionuclides found in groundwater supplies are Uranium and Radium.  Uranium and Radium are naturally occurring elements that are found throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States in bedrock deposits like shale or granite deep below the surface.  Rather than the glowing green rocks often portrayed in cinema or television, uranium and radium are found in ores mixed with other minerals and metals.  

Uranium is the largest naturally occurring element on earth, nearly 70% denser than lead, and exists naturally as three different isotopes: U-234, U-235, and U-238, with U-238 and U-235 being the most common.  U-235 is the preferred isotope for nuclear power generation.  All three forms of uranium have the same chemical and physical properties, but have different radioactive properties.

In very low pH conditions, uranium exists in a cation oxidized form UO2, but it is most commonly present as anionic compounds UO2(CO3)2 and UO2(CO3)3.  As uranium decays naturally over time, it releases radiation and forms new elements like radium, lead, and radon gas.

Learn more about radon

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