Comparison of Radon Daughter Measurement Techniques Used in European Animal Exposure Facilities

Abstract

Abstract The effects of radon daughter inhalation by animals is being studied by three organisations in Europe. The individual exposure facilities used are described. For meaningful comparisons of the results from these studies, the radiological character of the exposure atmospheres must be compared, therefore a series of comparison exercises has been initiated. It is planned to make measurements of radon daughter concentrations and 'unattached' fractions by the three groups side by side at each facility. The exposure atmospheres at two facilities have been studied to date; CEA/COGEMA, Razes, France and TNO, Rijswijk, The Netherlands. Sampling flow rate and reference standards were also intercompared by the groups. The paper discusses the measurement methods employed, and the reasons for discrepancies in results between the groups, thus ensuring that future work by all three groups will be directly comparable.