Metrology for radon monitoring

Short Name: MetroRADON, Project Number: 16ENV10
Image of a radon test kit
Radon Test Kit

New radon measurements will enable regulators to reliably assess and limit public exposure


Radon is estimated to cause between 3 % and 14 % of all lung cancer cases, depending on the average radon level in the country - in Europe, this corresponds to around 15,000 to 20,000 deaths every year. Over the coming years, as part of the new EU Basic Safety Standards (BSS) Directive, public exposure to radon will become part of legal metrology in Europe. All member states will be required to demonstrate that levels of radon activity concentration do not exceed 300 becquerels per cubic metre. To achieve measurements at this low level, new calibration procedures for existing commercial radon monitors must be developed.

 

This project has provided traceable measurement and calibration resources for the monitoring of radon, which enables regulators to meet the new requirements and support implementation of the new EU-BSS across Europe. Improvements in the reliability of radon measurements resulting from the project will provide a better basis for the development of effective strategies to mitigate and prevent the serious health effects of this pollutant.

 

This project builds on from EMRP project ENV57 MetroERM.

 

Coordinator: Franz Josef Maringer (BEV)

 

For more information, please contact the EURAMET Management Support Unit:

Phone: +44 20 8943 6666

E-mail: empir.msu@euramet.org

Project website
Publications
Preparation of multi-purpose radon emanation sources
2021

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

Development of a Geogenic Radon HazardIndex—Concept, History, Experiences
2020

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Equipment for Testing Measuring Devices at a Low-Level Radon Activity Concentration
2020

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

The Metrological Traceability, Performance and Precision of European Radon Calibration Facilities
2019

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Qualitative overview of indoor radon surveys in Europe
2019

Journal of Environmental Radioactivity

Absolute standardization of the radionuclide 54Mn and participation at international comparisons
2019

Proceedings of the 7th International Proficiency Testing Conference (PTconf), Oradea, Romania, 10-13 September 2019

Partition Coefficients and Diffusion Lengths of 222Rn in Some Polymers at Different Temperatures
2019

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Testing and Calibration of CDs as Radon Detectors at Highly Variable Radon Concentrations and Temperatures
2019

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Radon priority areas - definition, estimation and uncertainty
2018

Nuclear Technology and Radiation Protection

Other Participants
Bundesamt fuer Strahlenschutz (Germany)
Centralne Laboratorium Ochrony Radiologicznej (Poland)
Institut de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire (France)
JRC - Joint Research Centre - European Commission (European Commission)
Oesterreichische Agentur fuer Gesundheit und Ernaehrungssicherheit GmbH (Austria)
Sofiiski Universitet Sveti Kliment Ohridski (Bulgaria)
Státní ústav jaderné, chemické a biologické ochrany, v.v.i. (Czech Republic)
Universidad De Cantabria (Spain)