Chemicals in cigarettes and cigarette smoke are known to cause not only cancer but also other serious health problems. Many of the chemicals are poisonous. If a person ate one pack of cigarettes, he/she would die.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is formed when uranium decays in the soil. Uranium is in geological formations throughout North Carolina. When homes or other buildings are built on top of these geological formations, radon is pulled into the home and can concentrate to dangerous levels.
Radon was discovered by Robert Bowie Owens and Ernest Rutherford (GB) in 1899. The origin of the name is variation of the name of element radium; radon was called niton at first, from the Latin word nitens meaning shining. It is a colourless, odourless radioactive, heavy, noble gas that is chemically inert and non-flammable but is highly radiotoxic and carcinogen by inhalation. Radon is formed from the decay of radium in the earths crust. It is used to treat some forms of cancer. PHYSICAL PROPERTIES.