Speaker
Description
The carcinogenicity of residential radon (222Rn) has long been scientifically discredited.
Positive correlation between radon and lung cancer is based on LNT (Linear-no-threshold-theory) only. No correlation here, when assumption-free statistics applied. On the other hand, radon is successfully used in balneology due to its strong hormetic effects.
In radon balneotherapy, in some cases, the natural source activity for a stronger treatment may be inadequate low. Therefore, a several field experiments was made to produce a highly active preparations, by extracting radon from water into sunflower, rapeseed, and olive oil. For comparison, extraction into dodecane, which is the most lipophilic, was also tested.
The natural radon springs Břetislav (activity around 12.5 kBq/L 222Rn) and Pod Skalou (activity 5–8 kBq/L 222Rn), discovered in 2017 and 2017 in western Bohemia, were used as sources. The waters of both sources are cold and low in mineral content.
Extraction was carried out in a “2 L” glass separating funnel. About 2 liters of fresh water were always used, the starting amount was 120 ml of oil. A series of extractions was performed in the following steps. Previous experiments had shown that 3 to 4 consecutive extractions were sufficient to saturate the oil.
When using an air bubble and shaking, extraction ratios of around 10 were achieved. Significantly better results were achieved by mixing with a milk frother in a full funnel, where air access was limited.
Olive, sunflower, and rapeseed oils had similar extraction ratios, ranging from 16.2 to 17.3 and dodecane to 20, although upto 45 reported in the broad literature. The best prepared sunflower oil preparation had an activity of 213 kBq/L 222Rn. Discussions are currently underway with doctors about the possibilities of using this activated oil in spa treatments.