Question

Why is radon more closely associated with inducing lung cancer than other types of cancer?

Short answer

We are more prone to inhale radon than any other radioactive element since it is a radioactive gas. When we breathe radon, the gas is carried to our lungs and it causes more lung cancer than any other substance.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of Radon gas

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally and can cause lung cancer.

Radon gas is odourless, colourless, and inactive. The majority of radon exposure takes place in households, schools, and workplaces.

Explanation of close association of radon with inducing lung cancer

We can see from the Appendix and Table\(Al\)that it has a half-life of\(3.82\)days. Because radon is a noble gas, it does not react and is tasteless and odourless, which is one of the reasons why a person cannot detect its existence on their own, posing a significant risk. Because radon is extremely radioactive, inhaling daughter cores that are decomposing radon might cause lung injury. As a result of the high number of lung cancer cases linked to radon exposure, cigarette smokers are a particularly vulnerable population.

Because the circumstances for diffusion from the soil to the basements are particularly easy, it is usually found in the soil and underground buildings with inadequate ventilation. Because of its widespread distribution, radon is considered one of the natural radiations, with a global estimate of roughly \(3{\rm{ }}mSv\) per year (as shown in the book), and a US average dose of \(2{\rm{ }}mSv\) per year.