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Part of the book series: Environmental Science Research ((ESRH,volume 35))

Abstract

Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, almost chemically inert, and radioactive gas. Some of its properties are shown in Table 1.1. Compared to the other noble gases, radon is the heaviest and has the highest melting point, boiling point, critical temperature, and critical pressure. It is soluble in cold water, and its solubility decreases with increasing temperature as shown in Figure 1.1. This characteristic of radon causes it to be released during water-related activities in the home, such as washing clothes and dishes, taking showers or baths, flushing toilets, and general cleaning. Radon is not perfectly inert and is less so than lighter noble gases.

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© 1987 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Cothern, C.R. (1987). Properties. In: Cothern, C.R., Smith, J.E. (eds) Environmental Radon. Environmental Science Research, vol 35. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0473-7_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-0473-7_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

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