Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. How does this work?

Question

Radioactive rocks can release a gas called radon when they decay, which can build up in the basements of buildings with serious effects on people's health. Does anybody have information on how radon is produce naturally in nature? How do these rock’s become radioactively charged? Are these rocks common? Pictures or examples?

Answer 1

There are references that are freely available online that would help answer your question. Here is an excerpt from this source:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK158788/

If you click on the link, you will find a more comprehensive answer to your question than the excerpt I've copied below. Thank you for asking the question! It is good for everyone to know these things.

Radon is a naturally occurring element; the isotope of primary health concern is ²²²Rn. The largest source of radonin the environment is widely distributed uranium and its decay products in the soil (Buttafuoco et al. 2007; UNSCEAR 2000; Weast 1980). Radon is a decay product of radium and part of the uranium decay chain (see Figure 4-1) (Buttafuoco et al. 2007; O’Neil et al. 2006; UNSCEAR 2000). Every square mile of surface soil, to a depth of 6 inches, contains approximately 1 gram of radium, which slowly releases radon to the atmosphere (Weast 1980) when conditions of secular equilibrium exist.