Recent Progress in Radon Metrology at IFIN-HH, Romania

Aurelian Luca,Ioana Lalău,Cătălina Cîmpeanu,Cătălina Barna,Cornel Liviu Tugulan,Ileana Rădulescu,Constantin Teodorescu,Mihail-Răzvan Ioan,Viorel Fugaru,Andrei Antohe,Cristian Postolache,Cătălin Stelian Tuță

doi:10.3390/atmos13030363

Abstract

The practical implementation of the European Council Directive no. 2013/59/EURATOM in Romania requires reliable indoor measurements of the radon (222Rn) activity concentration in air. In Romania, several Testing Laboratories were designated for radon activity and/or radon activity concentration in air measurements by the Romanian National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN). The calibration of the instruments used for indoor radon activity concentration measurements is very important. IFIN-HH, through its Ionizing Radiation Metrology Laboratory (LMRI), performed advanced research in the field of radon metrology, using radon standard sources prepared by LMRI, its radon chamber facility and a new reference radon monitor. The most recent results are described in this article. The radon chamber facility from IFIN-HH was technically improved, and new equipment and methods were set up and tested in order to provide new calibration services for customers. Additionally, calibration of the radon monitors was performed, as well as of the systems with solid-state nuclear track detectors, used for radon in air activity concentration measurements. IFIN-HH/LMRI obtained the CNCAN designation as Calibration Laboratory for installations measuring the radon activity concentration in air.

Highlights

Accepted: 18 February 2022The European Council Directive no. 2013/59/EURATOM [1] was implemented in the Romanian national legislation by Law no. 63/9.03.2018, which modified and completedLaw no. 111/1996 regarding the safe deployment, regulation, authorization and control of nuclear activities
Based on the results presented in this article, IFIN-HH, through its Ionizing Radiation Metrology Laboratory (LMRI), is offering an advantageous alternative for the calibration of the instruments measuring the radon in air activity concentration
Bertin Instruments, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France) was recently introduced by IFINHH/LMRI, together with a dosimetry system provided with optical reading for nuclear track detectors detectors

Summary

Introduction

Accepted: 18 February 2022The European Council Directive no. 2013/59/EURATOM [1] was implemented in the Romanian national legislation by Law no. 63/9.03.2018, which modified and completedLaw no. 111/1996 regarding the safe deployment, regulation, authorization and control of nuclear activities. 237/12.09.2019 for the approval of the Norms regarding the designation procedure for laboratories in the nuclear field. Three Orders of the President of the Romanian National Commission for Nuclear Activities Control (CNCAN) were issued: Order no. This complex legislation adopted by the European and national authorities from Romania (and other EU countries as well) reflects the significance of the risk of radon (222 Rn isotope) to public health [2]. The practical implementation of PNAR requires important efforts of several Romanian Government ministries, and the involvement of many other institutions: local and central public authorities, academia (universities and national institutes for research and development), Published: 22 February 2022.

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