Atomic-Scale Monte Carlo Simulation

Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Conference

«Technologies of the 21st century: biological, physical, informational and socialaspects»
Saint-Petersburg, Russia, September 27-29, 2005

Benefits and Hazard of Radon

Nadezhda V. Stepanova, Olga V. Chudovskaya

High School of Mechnikov's StateMedicalAcademy, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the RussianAcademy of Scienses

Gaseous radon is one of the most dangerous radioactive poisons. Its contribution in natural background radiation is about 80%. Radon is water-soluble, and water is the main carrier of this radioactive element. One of radon-bearing regions of the world is situated in the area of Ladoga-Baltic Terrace, where concentration of radon in Gdov water-plane reaches 100 to 200 Bq/l [1]. High levels of radiation induce risk of cancer, genetic disease, and radiation sickness.

High concentration of radon in natural water sources can be hazardous, first, due to drinking of water containing high concentration of radon and its decay products, and second, due to radon transfer from water into air. Water can be decontaminated in this case by boiling, aeration or filtration with carbon filters [2].

However, low concentration of radon in water (<100 Bq/l) may be useful. From of old radon baths are widely used in balneology and physiotherapy. Radonotherapy is used for treatment of nervous system, cardiovascular system, musculoskeletal system, metabolic disease. IT is, however, necessary to take into account the fact that radon released during such treatment can be harmful for medical personnel being subjected to long-term influence of low concentrations of gaseous radon.

[1] Red Book of Nature, Leningrad region, Vol.1. Nature Reserves Under Special Care. – "Nauka", St. Petersburg, 1999, 149 p.

[2] A. Voronov. Radon in Water – Environmental Risk. – "Znanie", St.Petersburg, 1999, 30 p.

Nadezhda V. STEPANOVA

Pavlov Institute of Physiology of the RussianAcademy of Scienses

Nab. Makarova 6, Saint-Petersburg, 199034, Russia

Tel.: +07 812 3281676

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