Research summary of the EMPIR MetroRADON project.

In this paper, a comprehensive overview on the achievements and generated research results beyond the state-of-the-art is given based on the working structure of the joint metrology research project MetroRADON. The results of the project have been targeted at the implementation of the European Council Directive 2013/59/EURATOM on radiation protection (EU BSS) and benefit European and international standards on radon monitoring, radon measurement and calibration, geographical radon mapping, and guidelines on radiological protection, construction products, radiation instrumentation and nuclear data.

Production and characterization of a traceable NORM material and its use in proficiency testing of gamma-ray spectrometry laboratories.

This paper outlines the process of characterizing a new NORM material for proficiency testing made of quartz sand with significantly elevated levels of 226Ra obtained from the backflush of a drinking water treatment facility. Samples of the fully characterized NORM material were sent to European laboratories concerned with radioactivity measurements and environmental monitoring by gamma-ray spectrometry for proficiency testing. The paper discusses the results, specific requirements, problems and solutions that were found during the characterization process and the proficiency test.

A COMPARISON OF RADON INDOOR MEASUREMENTS WITH INTERPOLATED RADON SOIL GAS VALUES USING THE INVERSE WEIGHTING METHOD ON MEASURED RESULTS.

The European Basic Safety Standards demand the prediction of areas where a significant number of households exceed the reference level for the radon activity concentration. Therefore, radon maps are established which are based on indoor and soil gas measurements. In this study results of soil gas measurements are interpolated to get a value for the radon activity concentration in the soil gas at the coordinates of an indoor measurement and enable a direct comparison of both results. For the interpolation the inverse weighting value is applied. This way a prediction of the indoor radon activity concentration at the location of indoor measurements is attempted for verification. Quotients between the radon activity concentration in soil gas and indoors are analyzed. Building characteristics are also taken into account to evaluate parameters which lead to the reference level being exceeded. The results assist in the interpretation of soil gas measurements regarding the prediction of indoor radon activity concentrations.

INTRODUCTION AND TESTING OF A SIMPLIFIED METHOD FOR THE EVALUATION OF THE RADON EMANATION.

The radioactive noble gas radon is identified as the highest risk factor for lung cancer after smoking. The exhalation of radon from building materials can contribute to the radon indoor activity concentration. Therefore, the emanation of radon might be a crucial factor. It is defined as the release of radon from the solid soil matter into the pore space of the material. This article describes a new on-site measurement method for the emanation of radon from building materials at industrial sites. Therefore, a closed vessel with sample material and a passive radon detector inside is used to measure the integrated build-up-curve of the activity concentration. Additionally, a brief overview on existing radon emanation measurement methods is given.

Activity measurement and effective dose modelling of natural radionuclides in building material.

In this paper the assessment of natural radionuclides' activity concentration in building materials, calibration requirements and related indoor exposure dose models is presented. Particular attention is turned to specific improvements in low-level gamma-ray spectrometry to determine the activity concentration of necessary natural radionuclides in building materials with adequate measurement uncertainties. Different approaches for the modelling of the effective dose indoor due to external radiation resulted from natural radionuclides in building material and results of actual building material assessments are shown.

Development of standard methods for activity measurement of natural radionuclides in waterworks as basis for dose and risk assessment--first results of an Austrian study.

A comprehensive study with the aim to evaluate the risks due to radiation exposure for workers in water supply is conducted in 21 Austrian waterworks. The development of standard methods for the assessment of occupational exposure of water work staff is a part of this study. Preliminary results of this study show a wide range of Rn-222 activity concentration in waterworks with values from (28 ± 10)Bq/m(3) to (38,000 ± 4,000)Bq/m(3). Also seasonal variations of the Rn-222 activity concentration could be observed.