Application of scintillation counting using polycarbonates to radon measurements. (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mitev, K.; Georgiev, S.; Dimitrova, I.; Pressyanov, D.
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 92(2016:Sep.)
• Page Start: 32
• Page End: 38
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Radon -- Scintillation counting -- Polycarbonate -- Soil gas -- Measurement; Nuclear emulsions -- Periodicals; Particle tracks (Nuclear physics) -- Periodicals; Thermoluminescence -- Periodicals; Cosmic rays -- Periodicals; Radiation -- Measurement -- Periodicals; Radiometry -- Periodicals; Radiation Monitoring -- Periodicals; Émulsions nucléaires -- Périodiques; Particules (Physique nucléaire) -- Traces -- Périodiques; Thermoluminescence -- Périodiques; Rayonnement cosmique -- Périodiques; Radiométrie -- Périodiques; 539.77
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2016.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: This work proposes an approach for radon ( 222 Rn) measurement based on scintillation counting of polycarbonate specimens. The proposed technique takes advantage of the high absorption ability of polycarbonates to 222 Rn and of the fact that radiation emitted by 222 Rn and its progeny causes the polycarbonate material to emit light. The theoretical background behind the proposed technique is presented and its application to two types of 222 Rn measurements is demonstrated. The first application of the proposed technique is in the a posteriori calibration of compact discs for retrospective 222 Rn measurements, where it is sometimes necessary to measure 222 Rn concentrations higher than 2 MBq/m 3 for several days. It is demonstrated that the application of the proposed technique increases the range of applicable 222 Rn concentrations in the a posteriori calibration of CDs and adheres to its time and cost efficiency. The second application of the proposed technique is to soil-gas 222 Rn measurements. The applicability of the technique is demonstrated in more than 110 radon-in-soil-gas measurements, which were performed in different terrains, covering 222 Rn concentrations between 3 and 1200 kBq/m 3 . It is found that the measurements by scintillation counting of polycarbonates are consistent with the reference measurements by diffusion chambers with Kodak Pathe LR II detectors and very good linear correlations between the techniques are observed. The results from this study imply that the scintillation counting of polycarbonates may be suitable when fast, screening radon-in-soil gas measurements are necessary in a large number of points. Highlights: An approach for 222 Rn measurement by scintillation counting is proposed. Its application to a posteriori calibration of compact disks is demonstrated. Pilot results for application to radon in soil-gas measurements are presented. The approach is very suitable when high radon activity concentrations (>2 MBq/m 3 ) are to be measured for several days. The approach may be suitable when fast, screening radon-in-soil gas measurements are necessary in a large number of points.