Further improvements of track-etch radon dosemeters

Full text: The laboratory of ionizing/non-ionizing radiations, National Institute for Occupational Prevention and Safety - ISPESL, in collaboration with the National Agency for Environmental Protection and Technical Services - APAT, have been actively engaged for several years in studying the radon exposure by passive dosemeters. Starting from the analysis of the National Radiation Protection Board (NRPB) Intercomparison reports, a strategy of radon measurement has been initiated for the development of passive radon dosimeters based on polyallyl diglycol carbonate (PADC) track detectors, enclosed in NRPB/SSI types of holders. In order to optimize the response of these passive radon devices, the intrinsic background of PADC detectors from different manufacturers has been investigated. An effective way to minimize the background as well as the error associated with the counting statistics has been developed. Moreover, all the data accumulated to-date from many different calibrations and several intercomparisons has been thoroughly analyzed to determine the best procedures to optimize the signal-to-noise ratio of these detectors. The results of this extensive study demonstrate a simple way for the further improvement in radon monitoring system using PADC track detectors in NRPB/SSI dosemeters. (author)