Metrology infrastructure for radon metrology at the environmental level

Since 2020 a large consortium has been engaged in the project EMPIR 19ENV01 traceRadon to develop the missing traceability chains to improve the sensor networks in climate observation and radiation protection. This paper presents results in the areas of: Novel 226Ra standard sources with continuous controlled 222Rn emanation rate, radon chambers aimed to create a reference radon atmosphere and a reference field for radon flux monitoring. The major challenge lies in the low activity concentrations of radon in outdoor air from 1 Bq∙m-3 to 100 Bq∙m-3, where below 100 Bq∙m-3 there is currently no metrological traceability at all. Thus, measured values of different instruments operated at different locations cannot be compared with respect to their results. Whin this paper, new infrastructure is presented, capable of filling this gap in traceability. The achieved results make new calibration services, far beyond the state of art, possible.

[1]  I. Radulescu,et al.  Recent Progress in Radon Metrology at IFIN-HH, Romania , 2022, Atmosphere.

[2]  F. Mertes,et al.  Development of 222Rn Emanation Sources with Integrated Quasi 2π Active Monitoring , 2022, International journal of environmental research and public health.

[3]  D. Studer,et al.  Ion implantation of 226Ra for a primary 222Rn emanation standard , 2021, Applied Radiation and Isotopes.

[4]  P. Otáhal,et al.  The Metrological Traceability, Performance and Precision of European Radon Calibration Facilities , 2021, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

[5]  C. Rennick,et al.  Radon metrology for use in climate change observation and radiation protection at the environmental level , 2021, Advances in Geosciences.

[6]  J. Adame,et al.  Applicability of the closed-circuit accumulation chamber technique to measure radon surface exhalation rate under laboratory conditions , 2020 .

[7]  F. Mertes,et al.  A new primary emanation standard for Radon-222. , 2020, Applied radiation and isotopes : including data, instrumentation and methods for use in agriculture, industry and medicine.

[8]  L. Quindós,et al.  Performance of radon monitors in a purpose-built radon chamber , 2018, Journal of radiological protection : official journal of the Society for Radiological Protection.

[9]  U. Karstens,et al.  A process-based 222radon flux map for Europe and its comparison to long-term observations , 2015 .

[10]  Ismael Fuente Merino,et al.  The use of radon as tracer in environmental sciences , 2013 .

[11]  E. Blanchardon,et al.  Lung Cancer Risk from Radon and Progeny and Statement on Radon , 2010, Annals of the ICRP.

[12]  F. Bochud,et al.  Primary activity measurements with 4πγ NaI(Tl) counting and Monte Carlo calculated efficiencies , 2007 .

[13]  P. Cassette,et al.  Standardization of 222Rn by LSC and comparison with α- and γ-spectrometry , 2006 .

[14]  J. Picolo.  Absolute measurement of radon 222 activity , 1996 .

[15]  J. Porstendörfer.  Properties and behaviour of radon and thoron and their decay products in the air , 1994 .

[16]  A. Griffiths,et al.  Portable two-filter dual-flow-loop 222 Rn detector: stand-alone monitor and calibration transfer device , 2022 .

[17]  P. Otáhal,et al.  New metrology for radon at the environmental level , 2021, Measurement Science and Technology.

[18]  K K Nielson,et al.  Multiphase radon generation and transport in porous materials. , 1991, Health physics.