Subatech participates in the CNRS's Échappées inattendues event
Held in the former Morlaix Tobacco Factory—an iconic venue blending industrial heritage with contemporary science—more than 1,000 visitors (young and old) passed through the doors of the Espace des sciences to engage with the scientists in attendance.
On this occasion, Nathalie Michel and Gilles Montavon, researchers at the Subatech laboratory, presented a lecture and demonstration titled “Radon: From Our Homes to So-Called Miraculous Springs,” accompanied by a science outreach film produced as part of the ZATU (Zone Atelier Territoires Uranifères) initiative. The audience learned about natural radioactivity, understood its origins, and realized that it is present everywhere: in rocks, air, water, and even in our bodies. This presentation helped put this phenomenon—often perceived as alarming—into a broader perspective, showing that it is a legacy of the formation of matter in the universe and on Earth. Special attention was given to radon, an invisible naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes. The speakers explained how it forms, why certain regions are more affected, and what simple steps can be taken to reduce the risks associated with its presence.
The audience was also able to observe in real time the tracks left by certain particles using a cloud chamber, an experimental device in the laboratory that makes it possible to visualize the trajectories of particles resulting from natural radioactivity. This demonstration made a usually invisible phenomenon visible and provided a concrete illustration of the constant presence of radiation in our environment. Finally, the issue of very low doses of radioactivity was addressed: are they truly dangerous? How are they studied? Why do some studies suggest possible beneficial effects? This event offered the public an opportunity for rich discussion and discovery, providing a better understanding of a natural phenomenon that is ubiquitous yet still poorly understood.