Research and analysis

Passive radon detectors: results of the 2005 HPA intercomparison

This report (HPA-RPD-035) considers the results of the Health Protection Agency (HPA) intercomparison of passive radon detectors.

• From: Public Health England
• Published: 3 January 2008

Documents

HPA-RPD-035: results of the 2005 Health Protection Agency intercomparison of passive radon detectors

Ref: ISBN 978-0-85951-613-6

PDF, 520 KB, 71 pages

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Details

38 laboratories submitted 53 sets of passive detectors to this intercomparison. The exercise included 3 exposures to radon and its decay products at different equilibrium factors. After exposure, the detectors were returned to their originating laboratories for assessment.

Participants reported the estimated exposure for each detector before they were notified of the exposures given to the detectors. The results obtained by participating laboratories were classified according to the spread of results from detectors exposed together and by the difference between the mean result of each group and the actual exposure given. 35% of the laboratories achieved the highest classification for accuracy, while 22% were in the lowest category. The proportion of laboratories achieving very good results is broadly in line with that seen in recent intercomparisons.

Each year there is a number of laboratories introducing new detector systems which often results in initially less successful performance. As experience is gained, it is expected that results from laboratories operating such systems will improve.

Published 3 January 2008