Contribution from thoron on the response of passive radon detectors

In order to evaluate the reliability of measured values of radon concentration, a thoron sensitivity test for passive radon detectors was carried out. To do this test, a thoron chamber system was first set up. The system consists of four parts: an exposure chamber, a gas generator, an environmental monitor, and a measuring device. Five types of radon detectors were examined using the chamber system. After connecting the exposure chamber with the gas generator through an external pump, thoron gas was circulated through the system. The detectors were exposed to thoron-rich air for several days. The mean ratio between thoron and radon concentrations throughout the exposure period was 10:1. Some of the detectors provided values different from the actual radon concentration. Although the presence of thoron can be negligible in most cases, it is necessary to check the thoron contribution to the detector response with the proposed or similar test before practical use.