Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting Propensity Score using the Military Health System Data Repository and National Death Index
Published on: January 8, 2020
Radon Off-Gassing From Military Artifacts
David G Kelly1, Timothy Mumby2
11Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Royal Military College of Canada.
Military artifacts containing radium (Ra) off-gas significant amounts of radon (Rn). This study measured Rn release rates, revealing high variability and potential health risks in enclosed spaces like aircraft cockpits.
Area of Science:
- Nuclear Physics
- Environmental Science
- Heritage Science
Background:
- Military historical artifacts often contain radioactive elements like radium.
- Radon progeny can pose health risks, particularly in enclosed environments.
- Understanding radon off-gassing from artifacts is crucial for environmental monitoring and preservation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the radon (Rn) off-gassing rates from military historical artifacts.
- To determine the fraction of radon lost to the environment from these items.
- To assess potential risks associated with radon accumulation in enclosed spaces.
Main Methods:
- Gamma-ray spectroscopy with high-purity germanium detectors was employed.
- Radium (Ra) activity was measured directly, with corrections for geometry.
- Radon (Rn) activity was inferred and directly collected using charcoal for off-gassing rate determination.
Main Results:
- Significant and highly variable radon off-gassing rates were observed across artifacts.
- One artifact exhibited a maximum off-gassing rate of 1,850 ± 50 Bq/h.
- Thirty nominally identical dials showed a mean off-gassing rate of 7.7 ± 7.1 Bq/h, indicating substantial variation.
Conclusions:
- Military artifacts can be significant sources of radon off-gassing.
- The large variations in off-gassing rates highlight the need for artifact-specific assessments.
- Elevated radon levels may occur in enclosed spaces housing these artifacts, necessitating monitoring and mitigation strategies.
More Related Videos
14:17The Portable Chemical Sterilizer PCS, D-FENS, and D-FEND ALL: Novel Chlorine Dioxide Decontamination Technologies for the Military
Published on: June 29, 2014
10:23Equipment Setup and Artifact Removal for Simultaneous Electroencephalogram and Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Clinical Review in Epilepsy
Published on: June 23, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Noble Gases
The elements in group 18 are noble gases (helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, and radon). They earned the name “noble” because they were assumed to be nonreactive since they have filled valence shells. In 1962, Dr. Neil Bartlett at the University of British Columbia proved this assumption to be false.
Radioactive Decay and Radiometric Dating
What are Biogeochemical Cycles?
Gas Exchange and Transport
States of Water
Water freezes when the intermolecular forces are greater than the kinetic energy. Unlike most other substances, water is less dense in its solid state than in its liquid state. This is because each water molecule can form...
Global Climate Change