A continuous radon progeny monitor for measurements of effective dose

A continuously operating air monitor was developed to measure the potential alpha energy concentration and the dose conversion coefficient for radon progeny. The monitor is fitted with two sampling units: a reference filter, which collects nearly all of the radon progeny, and a circular plate diffusion battery with a wire screen located at its centre, which has a similar aerosol deposition efficiency as the human lung. The response function of the new monitor was adapted in relation to the respiratory tract model presented in ICRP 66. The characteristics of the monitor and the calibration procedure are described in this paper. (orig.)