Method and apparatus for indicating the radioactive decay products of radium in an environment

An improved method and apparatus for providing an indication of the radiation activity of the radioactive decay products of radium in an environment wherein the alpha particle activity and the beta particle activity at a test site are detected and the detected alpha particle and the beta particle activities provide the indication of the radiation activity of radon and the decay products of radon at the test site. The background radiation activity at the test site is detected, and the detected alpha particle and the beta particle activities less the detected background radiation activity provide the indication of the radiation activity of radon and the decay products of radon. The sum of the detected alpha particle and beta particle activities provides an indication of the working level (WL); the difference between the detected alpha particle and the beta particle activities provides an indication of the radon concentration at the test site and the equivalent ingrowth time of the radon decay products (radon daughters) from the earlier existence of the radon as a gas; and the detected background radiation activity provides an indication of the penetrating radiation hazard at the test site. 40 claims, 8 figures