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New metrology for radon at the environmental level

Röttger, Annette ; Röttger, Stefan ; Grossi, Claudia ; Vargas, Arturo ; Curcoll, Roger ; Otáhal, Petr ; Hernández-Ceballos, Miguel Ángel ; Cinelli, Giorgia ; Chambers, Scott and Barbosa, Susana Alexandra , et al. (2021) In Measurement Science and Technology 32(12).
Abstract

Radon gas is the largest source of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactivity. However, radon is also a useful tracer for understanding atmospheric processes, assessing the accuracy of chemical transport models, and enabling integrated emissions estimates of greenhouse gases. A sound metrological system for low level atmospheric radon observations is therefore needed for the benefit of the atmospheric, climate and radiation protection research communities. To this end, here we present a new calibration method for activity concentrations below 20 Bq m-3 and a prototype of the first portable radon monitor capable of achieving uncertainties of 5% (at k = 2) at these concentrations. Compliance checking of policy-driven regulations... (More)

Radon gas is the largest source of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactivity. However, radon is also a useful tracer for understanding atmospheric processes, assessing the accuracy of chemical transport models, and enabling integrated emissions estimates of greenhouse gases. A sound metrological system for low level atmospheric radon observations is therefore needed for the benefit of the atmospheric, climate and radiation protection research communities. To this end, here we present a new calibration method for activity concentrations below 20 Bq m-3 and a prototype of the first portable radon monitor capable of achieving uncertainties of 5% (at k = 2) at these concentrations. Compliance checking of policy-driven regulations regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an essential component of climate change mitigation efforts. Independent, reliable 'top down' methods that can be applied consistently for estimating local- to regional-scale GHG emissions (such as the radon tracer method (RTM)) are an essential part of this process. The RTM relies upon observed radon and GHG concentrations and measured or modeled radon fluxes. Reliable radon flux maps could also significantly aid EU member states comply with European COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2013/59/EURATOM. This article also introduces the traceRadon project, key aims of which include outlining a standardized approach for application of the RTM, creating infrastructure with a traceability chain for radon concentration and radon flux measurements, and developing tools for the validation of radon flux models. Since radon progeny dominate the terrestrial gamma dose rate, the planned traceRadon activities are also expected to improve the sensitivity of radiation protection early warning networks because of the correlation known to exist between radon flux and ambient equivalent dose rates.

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publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
keywords
environmental measurements, metrology, radon, tracer
in
Measurement Science and Technology
volume
32
issue
12
article number
124008
publisher
IOP Publishing
external identifiers
  • scopus:85117584360
ISSN
0957-0233
DOI
10.1088/1361-6501/ac298d
language
English
LU publication?
no
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.
id
315ed3e9-7d5d-4212-a48b-9fa0b10505a0
date added to LUP
2024-10-22 10:18:00
date last changed
2025-04-09 01:39:03
@article{315ed3e9-7d5d-4212-a48b-9fa0b10505a0,
  abstract     = {{<p>Radon gas is the largest source of public exposure to naturally occurring radioactivity. However, radon is also a useful tracer for understanding atmospheric processes, assessing the accuracy of chemical transport models, and enabling integrated emissions estimates of greenhouse gases. A sound metrological system for low level atmospheric radon observations is therefore needed for the benefit of the atmospheric, climate and radiation protection research communities. To this end, here we present a new calibration method for activity concentrations below 20 Bq m-3 and a prototype of the first portable radon monitor capable of achieving uncertainties of 5% (at k = 2) at these concentrations. Compliance checking of policy-driven regulations regarding greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is an essential component of climate change mitigation efforts. Independent, reliable 'top down' methods that can be applied consistently for estimating local- to regional-scale GHG emissions (such as the radon tracer method (RTM)) are an essential part of this process. The RTM relies upon observed radon and GHG concentrations and measured or modeled radon fluxes. Reliable radon flux maps could also significantly aid EU member states comply with European COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2013/59/EURATOM. This article also introduces the traceRadon project, key aims of which include outlining a standardized approach for application of the RTM, creating infrastructure with a traceability chain for radon concentration and radon flux measurements, and developing tools for the validation of radon flux models. Since radon progeny dominate the terrestrial gamma dose rate, the planned traceRadon activities are also expected to improve the sensitivity of radiation protection early warning networks because of the correlation known to exist between radon flux and ambient equivalent dose rates.</p>}},
  author       = {{Röttger, Annette and Röttger, Stefan and Grossi, Claudia and Vargas, Arturo and Curcoll, Roger and Otáhal, Petr and Hernández-Ceballos, Miguel Ángel and Cinelli, Giorgia and Chambers, Scott and Barbosa, Susana Alexandra and Ioan, Mihail Razvan and Radulescu, Ileana and Kikaj, Dafina and Chung, Edward and Arnold, Tim and Yver-Kwok, Camille and Fuente, Marta and Mertes, Florian and Morosh, Viacheslav}},
  issn         = {{0957-0233}},
  keywords     = {{environmental measurements; metrology; radon; tracer}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{12}},
  publisher    = {{IOP Publishing}},
  series       = {{Measurement Science and Technology}},
  title        = {{New metrology for radon at the environmental level}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1361-6501/ac298d}},
  doi          = {{10.1088/1361-6501/ac298d}},
  volume       = {{32}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}