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  4. Performance evaluation of radon active sensors and passive dosimeters at low and high radon concentrations
 
research article

Performance evaluation of radon active sensors and passive dosimeters at low and high radon concentrations

Rey, Joan F.
•
Meisser, Nicolas
•
Licina, Dusan  
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January 16, 2024
Building And Environment

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has the potential to accumulate in buildings and over time, causes lung cancer in humans. Present methods for radon measurements are disparate, which pose challenges to benchmark radon concentrations and to accurately assess the population's received dose. This paper presents a comprehensive performance evaluation of radon dosimeters and three grades of active radon sensors: consumer-, medium- and research -grade. The measurements were performed at relatively low (300 Bq/m3) and high (2 ' 000-3 ' 000 Bq/m3) radon levels. Tests were conducted in an atomic shelter, with stable temperature and humidity conditions. The active sensors differed in absolute accuracy and dynamic performance (time -dependent correlations) according to their grade. Research -grade sensors performed marginally better than medium -grade sensors, and significantly better than consumer -grade sensors. Relative to the reference, the error (percentage difference between the reference and the sensors) was below 5 % for research- and medium -grade sensors, and nearly 10 % for consumer -grade sensors at high radon levels. Performance of sensors diminished at low radon levels, except for research -grade sensors. Passive dosimeters generally performed better at high radon levels than at low ones. Their longer exposure time was associated with increased measurement reliability. These results highlight the need for understanding the purpose of measurements in order to select an adequate radon detector, and ultimately, reduce measurement and interpretation errors. This study raises awareness among researchers, radon professionals and the general public regarding the performances of different active radon sensors and passive dosimeters. It also sheds light on their respective scope of application.

  • Details
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Type
research article
DOI
10.1016/j.buildenv.2023.111154
Web of Science ID

WOS:001163883300001

Author(s)
Rey, Joan F.
Meisser, Nicolas
Licina, Dusan  
Pernot, Joelle Goyette
Date Issued

2024-01-16

Publisher

Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd

Published in
Building And Environment
Volume

250

Article Number

111154

Subjects

Technology

•

Radon Measurements

•

Performance Comparison

•

Sensor Grades

•

Passive Dosimeters

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
HOBEL  
FunderGrant Number

Federal Office of Public Health

Available on Infoscience
March 18, 2024
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/206425
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