Radon-in-water standard

Area of Science:

• Metrology
• Environmental Science
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Accurate measurement of radon-222 in water is crucial for environmental monitoring and radiation protection.
• Establishing a reliable standard is essential for calibrating measurement devices and ensuring data comparability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the setup and performance of a radon-in-water standard installed at the Czech Metrology Institute.
• To detail the methodology for generating and characterizing radon solutions for calibration purposes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a generator system with a radium-free solid radon-222 source and a 6L vessel.
• Employed an external circuit for solution homogenization and controlled radon charging periods.
• Implemented a measurement system for generator calibration and stability checks.

Main Results:

• The generator produces radon solutions with volume activity ranging from 300 to 2000 Bq/L.
• The uncertainty of the prepared radon solutions is less than 2.5%.
• The solid radon source exhibits 99.9% air emanation power.

Conclusions:

• The established radon-in-water standard provides a reliable method for generating traceable radon solutions.
• The system ensures accurate calibration of measurement equipment with low uncertainty.
• This standard contributes to improved environmental radon monitoring and radiation safety.