Derivation and Validity Evaluation of Calibration Factors for Activated-charcoal Radon Collectors

Akiko Wakabayashi; Yumi Yasuoka; Miroslaw Janik; Hiroyuki Nagahama; Nobutoshi Fukuhori; Yasunori Mori; Yuria Arai; Satomi Fujii; Takahiro Mukai

doi:10.3769/radioisotopes.68.317

Articles

Derivation and Validity Evaluation of Calibration Factors for Activated-charcoal Radon Collectors

Akiko Wakabayashi, Yumi Yasuoka , Miroslaw Janik, Hiroyuki Nagahama, Nobutoshi Fukuhori, Yasunori Mori, Yuria Arai, Satomi Fujii, Takahiro Mukai

Author information

Akiko Wakabayashi
Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
Yumi Yasuoka Corresponding author
Radioisotope Research Center, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
Miroslaw Janik
Center for Advanced Radiation Emergency Medicine, Quantum Medical Science Directorate, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology
Hiroyuki Nagahama
Department of Geoenvironmental Science, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University
Nobutoshi Fukuhori
Central Research Laboratory, Shiga University of Medical Science
Yasunori Mori
Mie Prefecture Health and Environment Research Institute
Yuria Arai
Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
Satomi Fujii
Radioisotope Research Center, Kobe Pharmaceutical University
Takahiro Mukai
Department of Biophysical Chemistry, Kobe Pharmaceutical University

Keywords: radon (²²²Rn), PicoRad collector, activated-charcoal radon collector, calibration factor, validity evaluation, radon chamber

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS

2019 Volume 68 Issue 5 Pages 317-329

DOI https://doi.org/10.3769/radioisotopes.68.317

Details

Abstract

Radon collectors (e.g., PicoRad collectors) based on activated-charcoal have been used for screening and measuring radon. However, researchers at the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that they could not verify the proper functioning of some commercially available radon detectors, including PicoRad collectors. In this study, we exposed two lots (with different expiration dates) of PicoRad collectors to the reference conditions at a controlled radon concentration within a radon chamber because the calibration factors were derived for use by a semi-empirical equation. Further, we exposed the PicoRad collectors to an uncontrolled radon atmosphere for conducting validity evaluation. The radon concentration results obtained by the PicoRad collectors using the semi-empirical equation were observed to be in good agreement with the conventional true radon concentration value. It denoted the optimal value of a quantity determined using a reference instrument. These experiments revealed that different values were required for the factors of the conversion equation of each radon collector lot with a different expiration date.

Corresponding author

Register with J-STAGE for free!