practice has been largely discontinued as hospitals can get the seeds directly from suppliers,
who make up the seeds with the desired activity for the day of use.
Cost
Radon is available at a cost of about $4/m.
Handling
Care must be taken in handling radon, as with other radioactive materials. The main hazard is
from inhalation of the element and its solid daughters which are collected on dust in the air.
Good ventilation should be provided where radium, thorium, or actinium is stored to prevent
build-up of the element. Radon build-up is a health consideration in uranium mines. Recently
radon build-up in homes has been a concern. Many deaths from lung cancer are caused by radon
exposure. In the U.S. it is recommended that remedial action be taken if the air in homes exceeds
4 pCi/l.
Sources: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics and the American Chemical Society.
Last Updated: 12/19/97, CST Information Services Team
Radon