Radon in the body, as exemplified by 214Bi gamma ray emissions, a naturally occurring environmental radioactive toxin?

Environmental radon ( 222 Rn) is ubiquitous with a World Health Organization estimated mean global indoor radon concentration of 39 Bq/m 3 . Radon (a lipid soluble noble gas) indeed dissolves in the fluids of the human body in which it is unevenly distributed (1). Scully reported that radon has a special affinity for lipids and is therefore stored chiefly in lipid‐rich organs, such as the nervous system and bone marrow (2). Bedroom radon levels of 40 women and 57 men were monitored for 72 hours using charcoal canisters. Total body potassium ( 40 K) and body radon content (determined through 214 Bi gamma ray emissions) in these subjects were measured with a whole body counter [32 10x10x40 cm NaI (Tl) detectors in two planar arrays]. Body fat masses were determined through whole body counter (3) and anthropometric measurements (4). A stepwise regression was applied to these data; radon body content correlated with bedroom radon concentration, total body fat mass and percent fat mass. Could Rn progeny be an environmental toxin associated with diseases of obesity? All clerical work and data collection were conducted at and sponsored by the USDA ARS GFHNRC.