Radon Content of the Atmosphere

Journal/Book: Reprinted from Nature Vol. 178 pp. 203-204 July 28 1956. 1956;

Abstract: Physics Department Institute of Cancer Research Royal Cancer Hospital London S.W.3. March 10. 1 Anderson W. Mayneord W. V. and Turner R. C. Nature 174 424 (1954). RECENTLY we reported raised levels of atmospheric radon during smoky or fog conditions1. It was also pointed out that radon was released into the atmosphere during the normal burning of coal. We have now carried out estimations of the radium contents of a series of representative samples of coals as used in Great Britain. The results of this analysis are shown in Table 1(without Table). The methods of estimation were the Same as described previously. The radium contents of the coals are in a narrow range of values and are similar to those described in the preliminary work. The absence of levels of a higher order suggests that the contribution of radon from this source does not represent a significant addition to the total atmospheric level. Adsorption of radon an certain fractions of the atmospheric dust nuclei might be suggested as a possible mechanism for its retention in the surface atmosphere. Our experience with samples of atmospheric dust however has shown that the associated radioactivity corresponds in terms of half-life to the daughter products of radon and not to the active gas itself. The explanation of the raised levels of activity is most likely to be made in terms of the special meteorological conditions associated with fog or smoke-laden atmospheres. We are indebted to the National Coal Board for the coal samples and to Mr. A. M. Wandless for much useful Information an the samples. ___MH

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