Results from an International Intercomparison of Techniques for Measuring Radon and Radon Decay Products

Authors:
  • JMJ.C. Miles
    J.C. Miles
  • ESE.J. Stares
    E.J. Stares
  • KCK.D Cliff
    K.D Cliff
  • J(J. Sinnaeve (Invited)
    J. Sinnaeve (Invited)
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Abstract
Eleven laboratories participated in an international intercomparison of active radon and radon decay product measurement techniques, using eighteen sets of equipment. Ten laboratories using fourteen types of dosemeter participated in an intercomparison of passive measurement techniques. Most of the exposures were carried out in a 43 m3 steel room at NRPB Chilton. All eighteen sets of active measurement equipment were operated simultaneously. Under conditions of zero ventilation rate the results of radon measurements gave a standard deviation of 10% and the results of decay product measurements gave a standard deviation of 15%. The results from closed passive dosemeters (intended to measure integrated exposure to 222Rn gas) showed generally good agreement and linearity. Open dosemeters (intended to measure exposure to 222Rn decay products) were exposed in four runs with different degrees of equilibrium between radon and its decay products. The agreement between the laboratories was less good in this case.