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Taken from an article that first appeared in: National Association of Counties, March 2006 County IAQ Newsletter

Did you know?

As Radon Decays, the Alpha Particles
Released  Are Strong Enough to Pit Plastic!

Just Think What They Can Do To Your Lungs!

Alpha particles, as defined by the EPA, are “a type of ionizing radiation ejected by the nuclei of some unstable atoms." If alpha particles have been inhaled, ingested, or absorbed into the blood stream, sensitive living tissue can be exposed to alpha radiation. The resulting damage increases the risk of cancer. In fact, alpha radiation is known to cause lung cancer in humans when alpha particles are inhaled.

The greatest exposures to alpha radiation for the average person comes from the inhalation of radon and its decay products.

This picture shows a plastic chip from a passive radon test. This piece of plastic is magnified only 100 times and shows the damage to the plastic as a result of exposure to alpha particles after just 3 months exposure at 4 pCi/L.

For more information, see www.epa.gov.