Radon measurements

Measurements of 222Radon is performed in collaboration with University of Heidelberg (Dr. Ingeborg Levin).

The short-lived daughters of 222Rn, namely 218Po (T1/2 = 3 min) and 214Po (T1/2 = 162µs) are metals, and, therefore, immediately after generation become attached to sub-micron aerosol particles. Depending on the meteorological conditions, and the distance from the Earth’s surface, the 222Rn daughters are close to radioactive equilibrium with atmospheric 222Rn. Hence, provided the disequilibrium is known, the atmospheric 222Rn (gas) activity can be determined via the activities of its short-lived daughters. Ambient air is continuously pumped through a quartz filter and the activity of the 222Rn and 220Rn daughters, which are attached to aerosols are determined on an hourly basis.