This volume is intended for the professional who is a newcomer to the
area of environmental radon. It marks the first time that chapters on
these subjects have been brought together in a single volume, and it is
arranged so that anyone with some basic university-level chemistry and
physics can develop a clear understanding of the different aspects
involved. The volume is intended to serve as a supplementary textbook in
public health, environmental, and health physics courses. It also can be
used by the professional to get "up to speed" in this rapidly evolving
field. The chapters are not necessarily a discussion of the latest
research in this fast-moving field, but are intended to bring the reader
to a level at which he can easily understand the current literature. At
the back of this volume the reader will find the references for the
individual chapters, a general list of reading materials, a glossary, an
appendix describing the equations for radioactive decay for a series of
progeny, a table of often used conversion factors, and the addresses and
brief biographies of the authors and editors. Both historical and SI
(International System) units are used throughout the book to provide
information for the widest range of readers. Thanks go to Tom Hess for
the idea for this volume and to Jessica Barron for help in editing.