Radon Experiment
The purpose of this study was to determine the amount of radon in the homes of students and affiliates from St. Mark's High School, see if the amounts were normal and satisfactory for EPA guidelines, and to note any patterns that occurred. To conduct the experiment, prepared test packages were distributed, used in individual homes, and sent to the lab for analytical purposes. Results were then sent from the lab back to the individual. Overall, the results showed no significant pattern, but certain cities tended to have higher values. Also, a few individual homes had high enough levels of radon to warrant corrective action according to EPA guidelines. According to this sample, the amounts in Delaware are not enough to warrant a massive effort to reduce radon despite the few outliers that could be explained by other variables. Therefore, Delaware's radon levels are at acceptable levels. Radon is a colorless, tasteless radioactive gas produced naturally during the radioactive decay of uranium in the earth's crust. It generally seeps through the ground and enters buildings, where it can accumulate to high levels. The reas
Table 1: Radon Test Results From the Homes of the A.P. Environmental Students Though there is no significant or obvious pattern to this data, the city of Hockessin with a mean of 2.23, has the highest amount of radon in general for its homes and second is Newark with a mean of 1.75. One home in Hockessin (7.5) and one home in Wilmington (4) were above the recommended levels established by the EPA, which was below four Pci/L. Overall, the results show safe levels of radon with the exception of the aforementioned houses. on it is dangerous is because of the alpha particles it emits, which is a form of ionizing radiation that is very damaging to body tissue. It is possible for the particles to become lodged in ones lungs and damage surrounding tissue and it greatly increases the risk of lung cancer. If high levels are found, the concentrations of it can be minimized by sealing basements concrete floors and by ventilating crawl spaces and basements. In Delaware specifically, results are expected to be less than four picocuries per liter of air.
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Approximate Word count = 795
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
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