CALIBRATION OF RADON SOURCES AND EVALUATING THE MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES AND THE RESULTS UNCERTAINTY

Abstract

Radon isotopes are the only gas member in the middle part of the long radioactive series. Radon is the ultimate precursor of the widely distributed element in nature, Uranium. Therefore, Radon presents in all environmental atmospheres with concentrations that varying from place to another according to the Uranium content in the surrounding area. Also, it varies across the time in the same area due to its dependence on the environmental conditions.

Radon has two facets: it. posses grave health hazards due to the inhalation of its short lived daughters that trapped in the lung and depositing their alpha particles energy in the tissue. Also, Radon helps in Uranium exploration, earthquake prediction, study of volcanic activities and searching for geothermal energy sources. Therefore, Radon may be harmful foe or helpful friend.

Determination of Radon concentration by passive techniques is very important because it bases on a long term measurement which can incorporate the effect of seasonal, weather and environmental conditions of Radon emanation and its migration which responsible for varying the Radon concentrations.

CR-39 detector, as a passive technique, has to become the state of-the- art track detector for environmental Radon, which uses for the measurements of the time-integrated Radon level without the needing of delicate and sophisticated equipment. In addition it is portable, inexpensive ' and greatly convenient in rugged and remote areas even without a vehicular access.

Setup of the field measurements must be operated in the laboratory to . check the advantages of the used equipment and the efficiency of the measuring techniques that. must be calibrated for Radon measurements. The main requirements for laboratory Radon measurements are Radon