Radon alpha track counting on solid state nuclear track detector by an ImageJ-based software macro.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Nuclear Physics
• Health Physics

Background:

• Radon (222Rn) is a radioactive gas linked to lung cancer risk.
• Traditional radon quantification uses expensive solid-state nuclear track detectors and microscopy.
• There is a need for affordable and accessible radon detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, fast, and low-cost image acquisition system for quantifying radon alpha tracks.
• To validate the proposed system against established methodologies.
• To provide an alternative to costly commercial radon measurement instruments.

Main Methods:

• Utilized CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors for radon alpha track detection.
• Employed a conventional light stereoscopic microscope and CCD camera for image acquisition.
• Analyzed detector images using the open-source ImageJ software for track counting.
• Applied the methodology to 45 samples from dwellings and caves in Extremadura, Spain.

Main Results:

• Achieved a high correlation coefficient (r² = 0.98) between the proposed and reference methodologies.
• Demonstrated excellent repeatability in track counting.
• Successfully quantified radon alpha tracks in environmental samples.

Conclusions:

• The developed system is a simple, fast, and low-cost alternative for routine radon measurement.
• The methodology provides accurate and repeatable results, comparable to expensive commercial systems.
• This approach facilitates wider accessibility to radon monitoring, potentially improving public health by identifying high-risk areas.