title: Inter-comparison of radon detectors for one to four week measurement periods.
abstract: Seven different types of radon detectors (Atmos 12 dpx, RAD7, RStone, Sun Nuclear 1028, Ramon 2.2, Canary and CR-39) were compared for exposure periods of 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks. The comparison was conducted under two conditions: (a) in a purpose-built radon chamber with an average radon concentration of 2560 Bq m(-3) (b) in a home environment with a radon concentration of 57 Bq m(-3), in both cases measured by the reference detector (Atmos 12 dpx) with a  ±10% uncertainty range. In (a) 5 out of 8 detectors recorded radon concentrations within the Atmos uncertainty range and all detectors recorded within  ±15%; in (b) 3 out of 9 detectors recorded within the Atmos uncertainty range and 6 out of 9 measured within  ±20%, for a 4 week measurement. The results from this study show that radon surveys can be conducted for shorter periods than the recommended 3 months where a rapid indication is needed of whether the radon concentration is above the reference level, such as when assessing the concentration during and after remediation work.
authors.affiliation: School of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland.
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Gunning
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murray
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Long
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Finch
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D011886:Radon