Metrological realization of the radon activity concentration in air.

In the framework of the EMPIR research project Metrology for Radon, a facility was devised that provides stable and traceable atmospheres for the realization of radon activity concentration at a high metrological level. The facility is used to calibrate and test devices for measuring radon in the air. It enables precise long-term exposures in the range between 100 Bq/m and 1000 Bq/m.

Note on dose conversion for radon exposure.

The epidemiological approach to converting radon exposure to effective dose is examined. Based on the definition of the effective dose, the dose conversion is obtained from the equivalence of lung-specific detriment associated with low-LET radiation and with radon exposure. This approach most reliably estimates effective dose per radon exposure on the basis of epidemiological data and implicitly includes the radiation weighting factor required to calculate the effective dose from radon exposure using the dosimetric approach, applying biokinetic and dosimetric models.

Study on the radiation detriment.

Cancer incidence risks, lifetime effects and radiation detriments are determined for the whole population and various subpopulations as a result of acute and chronic exposure to low-LET radiation, taking into account the risk models, procedures and representative populations provided by ICRP. The results are given for solid cancers in different organs, as well as for soft tissue cancer in bone marrow. For most cancer sites a good agreement is obtained between the results of this study and the values published by the ICRP.

Low-Level Radon Activity Concentration-A MetroRADON International Intercomparison.

An international comparison of continuous monitors measuring radon activity concentration was performed to validate the traceability of the European radon calibration facilities. It was carried out by comparing the secondary standards used by these previous facilities, ranging from 100 Bq·m to 300 Bq·m. Secondary standards were individually compared to a secondary reference device previously calibrated in a reference radon atmosphere traceable to a primary standard.

The Metrological Traceability, Performance and Precision of European Radon Calibration Facilities.

An interlaboratory comparison for European radon calibration facilities was conducted to evaluate the establishment of a harmonized quality level for the activity concentration of radon in air and to demonstrate the performance of the facilities when calibrating measurement instruments for radon. Fifteen calibration facilities from 13 different European countries participated. They represented different levels in the metrological hierarchy: national metrology institutes and designated institutes, national authorities for radiation protection and participants from universities.