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Radon Measurement



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  • Personal Author:
  • Description:
    In the United States, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides the general guidance for the measurement of radon gas, radon decay products, and radon in water. In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) provides detailed guidance for member countries on radon gas and decay product measurement techniques. Both the US EPA and WHO guidance include suggestions for radon measurement protocols and quality assurance (QA) measures related to obtaining valid radon measurements. It is important to note that the radon decay products, mainly polonium-218 and polonium-214, deliver the majority of the radiation dose to the lungs, rather than the radon gas itself. However, because it is easier and less complicated to measure radon gas than it is to measure radon decay products, measurement of the radon gas concentration often serves as a surrogate for the radon decay product concentration. The technology used in various types of radon detectors is diverse. However, regardless of the technology, radon measurements are often classified as either short-term or long-term. A short-term radon test, which lasts for a few days to a few weeks, can provide rapid insights into whether or not a particular structure has elevated radon concentrations, especially if the structure is 'closed-up' to maximize radon concentrations within the structure before testing. Alternatively, a long-term radon test, which lasts 3 months or longer, provides a better estimate of the yearly radon concentration to which an individual living within the structure would be exposed. A general guide for the selection of the appropriate radon testing device is presented. Detailed information on measurement devices and testing protocols can be found by reviewing the reports and website resources referenced in the Further Readings section. [Description provided by NIOSH]
  • Subjects:
  • Keywords:
  • ISBN:
    9780444522733
  • Publisher:
    Elsevier B.V.
  • Document Type:
    Text
  • Funding:
    Grant
  • Genre:
    Book
  • Place as Subject:
  • CIO:
    National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Topic:
    Workplace Safety & Health
  • Location:
    North America
  • Volume:
    4
  • NIOSHTIC Number:
    nn:20063846
  • Citation:
    Encyclopedia of environmental health, 1st edition. Nriagu JO, ed. London, UK: Elsevier, 2011 Oct; 4:754-767
  • Contact Point Address:
    R. W. Field, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
  • CAS Registry Number:
    Radon (CAS RN 10043-92-2)
  • Editor(s):
    Nriagu JO
  • Federal Fiscal Year:
    2012
  • Performing Organization:
    University of Iowa
  • Peer Reviewed:
    False
  • Start Date:
    20050701
  • Source Full Name:
    Encyclopedia of environmental health, 1st edition
  • End Date:
    20290630
  • Collection(s):
  • Main Document Checksum:
    urn:sha-512:23c3b5137b434a67370d91d4d54e4953c0315c9563378ada8d1ae0cde46bacfcdce6a49a56bc5f9d5c62c42f10c1f12b68b5a0986e4fbbc85a041fcfa65b1412
  • Download URL:
  • File Type:
    Filetype[PDF - 428.38 KB ]
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