Lucas cell

A Lucas cell is a type of scintillation counter.

The inside of the gas chamber is coated with ZnS(Ag) - a chemical that emits light when struck by alpha particles.

A Lucas cell can be used to measure radon gas concentrations.

Its danger lies in the fact that it undergoes radioactive decay.

The radon decay products may lodge in the lungs and bombard them with alpha and beta particles, thus increasing the risk of lung cancer.