An investigation on radon and thoron response of alpha-track detectors used in the Winnipeg case-control study

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2010 Jan;138(1):83-6. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncp177. Epub 2009 Sep 23.

Abstract

The alpha-track detector was well designed for long-term radon measurements in the 1992 Winnipeg case-control study. However, its diffusion characteristic for thoron in comparison to radon was yet unknown. An investigation on radon and thoron response of these detectors was undertaken. The results showed that the relative sensitivity between thoron and radon is 2 %, i.e. the detector sensitivity to radon is about 50 times higher than the sensitivity to thoron. It can be concluded that there was no significant influence of thoron on the radon measurements with these detectors.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Alpha Particles
  • Canada
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Radiation Dosage
  • Radiometry / instrumentation*
  • Radon / analysis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity

Substances

  • Radon