MODELING A 222Rn MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUE BASED ON ABSORPTION IN POLYCARBONATES AND TRACK-ETCH COUNTING

In the last decade the high radon absorption ability of some polycarbonates has been successfully used to measure Rn-222 in air, water, and soil-gas. This report describes a theoretical model of the response of Rn-222 detectors that are based on radon absorption and electrochemical etching of alpha-tracks in polycarbonates. The model is based on the volume distribution of the absorbed Rn-222 and the response function of electrochemically etched Makrofol. Theoretical expression for the calibration factor is obtained, and comparison with experimental results is made. The comparison demonstrates very good correspondence between theoretical and experimental values. The conclusion is that this model can be useful in design and optimization of Rn-222 measurements based on absorption in polycarbonates. Health Phys. 97(6):604-612; 2009