title: A simple calculation for the buildup and decay of radon progeny.
abstract: A Markov chain in conjunction with an electronic spreadsheet is used to generate the buildup and decay patterns of radon progeny in a procedure involving only multiplication and addition. Markov chains are highly suitable for calculations of this type. Because the Markov matrix may not be readily available, and because some health physicists may not be familiar with this procedure, we give the values of a Markov matrix and demonstrate how it can be used to produce a Markov chain describing the buildup and decay of radon progeny.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia 29208, USA.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gaul
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Underhill
mesh_terms: D008390:Markov Chains; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011851:Radioactivity; D017687:Radon Daughters / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D017687:Radon Daughters