![]() | The examples and perspective in this article may not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (September 2023) |
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Radium and radon are important contributors to environmental radioactivity. Radon occurs naturally as a result of decay of radioactive elements in soil and it can accumulate in houses built on areas where such decay occurs. Radon is a major cause of cancer; it is estimated to contribute to ~2% of all cancer related deaths in Europe.[1]
Radium, like radon, is radioactive and is found in small quantities in nature and is hazardous to life if radiation exceeds 20-50 mSv/year. Radium is a decay product of uranium and thorium.[2] Radium may also be released into the environment by human activity: for example, in improperly discarded products painted with radioluminescent paint.