Research summary of the EMPIR MetroRADON project.

In this paper, a comprehensive overview on the achievements and generated research results beyond the state-of-the-art is given based on the working structure of the joint metrology research project MetroRADON. The results of the project have been targeted at the implementation of the European Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM on radiation protection (EU BSS) and benefit European and international standards on radon monitoring, radon measurement and calibration, geographical radon mapping, and guidelines on radiological protection, construction products, radiation instrumentation and nuclear data.

Production and characterization of a traceable NORM material and its use in proficiency testing of gamma-ray spectrometry laboratories.

This paper outlines the process of characterizing a new NORM material for proficiency testing made of quartz sand with significantly elevated levels of Ra obtained from the backflush of a drinking water treatment facility. Samples of the fully characterized NORM material were sent to European laboratories concerned with radioactivity measurements and environmental monitoring by gamma-ray spectrometry for proficiency testing. The paper discusses the results, specific requirements, problems and solutions that were found during the characterization process and the proficiency test.

INTRODUCTION AND TESTING OF A SIMPLIFIED METHOD FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE RADON EMANATION.

The radioactive noble gas radon is identified as the highest risk factor for lung cancer after smoking. The exhalation of radon from building materials can contribute to the radon indoor activity concentration. Therefore, the emanation of radon might be a crucial factor.

A COMPARISON OF RADON INDOOR MEASUREMENTS WITH INTERPOLATED RADON SOIL GAS VALUES USING THE INVERSE WEIGHTING METHOD ON MEASURED RESULTS.

The European Basic Safety Standards demand the prediction of areas where a significant number of households exceed the reference level for the radon activity concentration. Therefore, radon maps are established which are based on indoor and soil gas measurements. In this study results of soil gas measurements are interpolated to get a value for the radon activity concentration in the soil gas at the coordinates of an indoor measurement and enable a direct comparison of both results.

Environmental radioactivity study of Austrian and Bavarian forest ecosystems: Long-term behaviour of contamination of soil, vegetation and wild boar and its radioecological coherences.

Cs and K in soil, vegetation and flesh of wild boar samples from Austrian and Bavarian regions were investigated by gamma-ray spectrometry and Sr in bones of wild boar with Liquid Scintillation Counting (LSC) after radiochemical separation. The soil core profiles revealed that 70-97% of the soil caesium content is still accumulated in the 0-10cm soil depth. From all vegetation samples the mushrooms, particularly the bay boletus showed the highest Cs contamination.