A short-time method to measure the radon potential of porous materials

The radiological risk associated with the use of solid materials has been traditionally established according to their radon exhalation rates, the accumulation chamber technique being the most widely used for the determination of this quantity. However, this coupled methodology has two important drawbacks: the calculated exhalation rate value depends strongly on the experimental setup used; hence widely varying values can be calculated for the same material. Furthermore, this technique usually requires long monitoring times (between 1 and 4 weeks). In this paper, we present a fast and reproducible method for the determination of radon potential (as an alternative to the exhalation rate) based on the application of the accumulation chamber technique. Radon potential is proportional to the emanation coefficient, and can be calculated within measuring times of less than 24 h. The theoretical basis is developed and the experimental setup is discussed in detail in this paper. The procedures for the determination of different experimental parameters (leakage constant, slope correction) are shown as essential steps for the later determination of the radon potential. In addition, the robustness of the developed methodology is demonstrated, and the reproducibility tests carried out with the general system performance are shown. Finally, the radon potential for different materials is determined, allowing its prompt categorization according to its associated radiological risk. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.