Characterization of LR-115 Type 2 Detectors for Monitoring Indoor Radon 222: Determination of the Calibration Factor

P.  Pereyra; M. E.  Lopez; B.  Perez; J.  Rojas; J.  Martinez; K.  Leon

doi:10.15415/jnp.2016.41010

Authors

P. Pereyra Sección Física, Dpto de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima 32, Perú
M. E. Lopez Sección Física, Dpto de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima 32, Perú
B. Perez Sección Física, Dpto de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima 32, Perú
J. Rojas Sección Física, Dpto de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Av. Universitaria 1801, Lima 32, Perú
J. Martinez Instituto Peruano de Energía Nuclear, Av. Canada 1470, Lima 41, Perú
K. Leon Instituto Peruano de Energía Nuclear, Av. Canada 1470, Lima 41, Perú

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15415/jnp.2016.41010

Keywords:

Cellulose nitrate, Nuclear tracks, Dosimeter, Alpha detector

Abstract

The city of Lima, capital of Peru, has about 11 million inhabitants. Lima has no records about the indoor Radon 222 concentration levels in dwellings. Hereby, we are planning to register the indoor radon concentrations in Lima and in other cities of Peru in the next three years. First, we will determine the calibration factor for the detectors which will be used in our measurements. For this purpose, Solid State Nuclear Tracks Detectors of nitrocellulose nitrate (LR-115 type 2) were used.The calibration process using a Radium 226 source was described to obtain the calibration factor. Linear response in tracks number was found in relation with irradiation time and its stability after time at the calibration chamber.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Cherry, S., Sorenson, J., & Phelps, M. Physics in nuclear medicine. Ed Saunders, 4th edition, (2012).

Durrani, S.A. Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors: principles, methods and applications. Pergamon Press, 1st edition, (1987).

Eappen, K.P. Calibration factors for LR-115 (type II) based radon thoron discriminating dosimeter. Radiation measurements, 38(1), 5-17, (2004) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.radmeas.2003.09.003

Espinosa, G. Trazas Nucleares en Sólidos. UNAM, México, (1994).

ICRP. Lung Cancer Risk from Exposures to Radon Daughters. ICRP Publication 50, (1987).

Khan, M.S.A., Tariq, M., Rawat, R.B.S. Preliminary Measurements of Radon Radiations in “Bare Mode” In Rampur District of Western U.P. (India). IOSR Journal of Applied Physics (IOSRJAP), 1(4), 4–7, (2012). http://dx.doi.org/10.9790/4861-0140407

Mäkeläinen, I. Calibration of bare LR 115 Film for Radon Measurements in dwellings. Radiation Protection Dosimetry, 7(1), 195-197, (1984).

Manwinder Singh, Singh, N.P., Singh, Surinder Singh, Virk, H.S. Calibration of radon detectors. International Journal of Radiation Applications and Instrumentation. Part D. Nuclear Tracks and Radiations Measurements. Vol 12, Issues 1-6, pp 739-742, (1986). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/1359-0189(86)90692-8

Nikezic, D. & Yu., K.N. Profiles and parameters of tracks in the LR115 detector irradiated with alpha particles. Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research B. 196, 105–112, (2002). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0168-583X(02)01277-6

Nikolaev, V.A. & Radomir, Ilic. Etched track radiometers in radon measurements: a review. Radiation measurements, 30(1), 1-13, (1999). http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S1350-4487(98)00086-9

Pereyra, P., Lopez, M.E. & Vilcapoma, L. Concentration Measurements of Radon 222 Indoors in Lima - Peru. International Journal of Physics. 3(4), pp. 165-169, (2015). http://dx.doi.org/10.12691/ijp-3-4-5

Vilcapoma, L, Pereyra, P., & Lopez, M.E. Anomalías de la emisión de radón 222 en el subsuelo de la ciudad de Lima – Perú. ProceedingsX Congreso Regional Latinoamericano IRPA deProtecciónySeguridadRadiológica, 2015. BUENOSAIRES.http://www.rivanet.com.ar/clientes/irpa/ VILCAPOMAanomaliasemisionradonperu.pdf. Accessed 14 april 2016, (2015).

World Health Organization. WHO HANDBOOK ON INDOOR RADON, (2009).