Element #86

Radon

noble gas gas Discovered 1900

222 Atomic Mass (u)

-71 C Melting Point

-61.7 C Boiling Point

0.00973 g/cm3 Density

N/A Electronegativity

[Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2 6p6 Electron Config

6 Period

18 Group

📖 About Radon

A naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of radium (itself from uranium). Radon seeps from the ground and can accumulate in basements and lower floors of buildings. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, responsible for about 21,000 deaths per year in the USA alone. There is no safe level of radon exposure.

🔧 Uses and Applications

Cancer radiation therapy (historically)
Scientific research
Earthquake prediction research (radon anomalies before quakes)
Geological surveys

💡 Did You Know?

Fact: Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer death in non-smokers. Because it is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, the only way to detect it is with a radon test kit. The EPA recommends testing every home, particularly in radon-prone geological areas.