On the effect of a negative ion-generator and a mixing fan on the plate-out of radon decay products in a radon box.
Studies have been conducted on the effect of a negative ion-generator and a mixing fan on the radon daughter Working Level produced in an environmental radon "box". A dramatic decrease in the Working Level has been observed when either the ion-generator or the mixing fan is operating. The combined effect of the ion-generator and the mixing fan was substantially larger than that from either one of them alone. Experiments have been carried out over a wide range of relative humidity (45-95%) and at a temperature of 20 +/- 3 degrees C. The effects observed were nearly independent of relative humidity in the box. Preliminary experiments seem to indicate that the decrease in the Working Level is somewhat related to the possible build-up of electrostatic charge on the inner walls of the radon box. However, there is some difficulty in accepting charge build-up at high levels of relative humidity. To better understand the phenomena observed, a number of measurements are planned on the inner walls of the box. These include electrostatic charge, electric field, and measurement of alpha- and beta-activity.
D004781:Environmental Exposure; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011886:Radon
D011886:Radon