Radioactivity is the ability of unstable atomic nucleus to emit radiation to make it stable. The process is called decay and the unstable nucleus is called radionuclide whilst the material containing radionuclide is called radioactive.
That was said by Prof. Dr. Karyono, S.U. when being inaugurated as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Thursday (10/12). In front of the Council of Professors, former Dean of Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (1993-1997), delivered his speech entitled “the Existence of Natural Radioactive Gas of Radon, Toron and Actinon on Earth that Should Be Monitoredâ€. “One of the use of radioactive particles is to generate nuclear energy,†he explained at the Senate Hall, UGM.
Karyono said that despite the extensive benefit, it is no doubt that nuclear energy has hazardous potential not insiginificant for human health. The effects, among others, are many kinds of diseases including skin cancer, leukimia, brain damage, and others.
“The research on radon radioactive gas abroad is often related to lung cancer. Radon is the most potent carcinogen in your home. The National Sciences and the Environmental Protection Agency (2003) predicted that in the USA radon gas at home has killed 21,100 people due to lung cancer. For non-smokers, radon became the second factor causing lung cancer. Over 171,000 people are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the USA,†said the man born in Sleman, 24 October 1956.
In his conclusion, the husband of Tri Wahyuni and the father of five children said that natural gas radioactive should be looked into although its concentration is still under the maximum level permitted by the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Agency (BAPETEN). To reduce the scale of activities of the natural radioactive gas is by making well ventilated homes with good air circulation.