Measurement of radon in air using a radon-218Po calibration curve determined by an absorptive non-volatile liquid scintillator. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kato, Takahisa; Janik, Miroslaw; Kanda, Reiko; Ishikawa, Tetsuo; Kawase, Masaya; Kawamoto, Takuo
• Is Part Of: Radiation measurements. Volume 95(2016:Dec.)
• Page Start: 25
• Page End: 30
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Radon -- Liquid scintillation -- Radioactivity -- α-Spectrometry -- Nonvolatile liquid scintillator; 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.2016.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1350-4487

Abstract

Abstract: This work reports a novel method for determining 222 Rn (radon) in air using a radon- 218 Po calibration curve constructed by an absorbable non-volatile liquid scintillator (NVLS). The ability of this method to detect low natural concentrations of radon was confirmed from linear extrapolation of the curve between 500 and 8000 Bq/m 3 . The calibration curve was created from data obtained from measurements performed in a radon calibration chamber at the National Institute of Radiological Science (NIRS) by using the least-squares method. The line had high precision and stability, and the required detection time was less than that of 214 Po. An absorptive NVLS was used to collect radon and was found to be highly advantageous for α-spectrometry liquid scintillation measurements. Variations of the Ostwald coefficient due to changes in temperature and humidity, which affect radon absorption, were investigated and discussed. Highlights: This determination method for 222 Rn in air was using a radon- 218 Po calibration curve. This curve was performed with measurements in a radon calibration chamber at the National Institute of Radiological Science. The ability of this method was detectable atmospheric radon at its low natural concentration at the region of less than 500 Bq/m 3 . A used non-volatile liquid scintillator for this measurement of radon combines as an absorbent for radon collector.