The measurement accuracy of passive radon instruments

Abstract

This paper analyses the data having been gathered from interlaboratory comparisons of passive radon instruments over 10 y with respect to the measurement accuracy. The measurement accuracy is discussed in terms of the systematic and the random measurement error. The analysis shows that the systematic measurement error of the most instruments issued by professional laboratory services can be within a range of ±10 % from the true value. A single radon measurement has an additional random measurement error, which is in the range of up to ±15 % for high exposures to radon (>2000 kBq h m(-3)). The random measurement error increases for lower exposures. The analysis especially applies to instruments with solid-state nuclear track detectors and results in proposing criteria for testing the measurement accuracy. Instruments with electrets and charcoal have also been considered, but the low stock of data enables only a qualitative discussion.

Improvement of a Radon Dosimetry System for Miners by Replacing Reference Dosimeters with Radonproof Boxes Containing Activated Carbon Cartridges

“…The trumpet curve indicates the uncertainty range of the measurement method. It is assumed that 90% of all measurement results of a measuring point lie within this range ( Beck et al. 2014 ).…”

“… Variation of individual radon measurements using instruments with solid state nuclear track detectors and electrets around the reference exposure (only instruments meeting the initial criterion); box plots indicate the results of each of the participating laboratory services relative to the reference exposure to radon (boundary of the boxes indicates the 25th and the 75th percentile, a line within the boxes marks the median, whiskers indicate the 10th and the 90th percentiles, and points indicate each outlier); solid lines represent the trumpet curve ( Beck et al 2014 ). …”

A new method for evaluating the stability of radon concentration in a radon chamber

“…The radon chambers are the industry standard for conducting experimental research and calibrating measuring devices needed in a variety of sectors, such as radiation protection, environmental detection, biological experiment, and geological exploration [1][2][3][4]. Besides, they are employed to research various tests of environmental parameters and aerosol concentration [5,6].…”

“…They are usually made of materials like charcoal canisters, plastic containers, stainless steel, and transparent plexiglass [5,[7][8][9][10]. Their sizes and specifications range from 0.01 m 3 to 78 m 3 and include closed pipe systems, cylindrical shapes, and cubic shapes [11,12]. No matter what it is, the main objective of the radon chamber is to deliver a constant and controlled radon concentration environment for the experiments.…”