Development of a System for Survey of Radon Concentration of the Dayton Area Using a Liquid Scintillation Counter and Analysis of the Data.

摘要

A system to do a large scale survey was developed. The data obtained from the survey was analyzed using a database. The database incorporated an equation for converting cpm into radon concentration pCi/1). The equation of conversion, protocol for measuring radon concentration, survey form, and a database program were modified (from previous theses) or developed for this thesis. The elution time constant, adsorption time constant, and calibration factor were calculated for equation of conversion. Two surveys were during the course of the thesis. On the first survey, the arithmetic average radon concentration with standard error of the mean was 2.9 + 0.5 pCi/1. The geometric mean (G.M.) was 1.5 pCi/1 with geometric standard deviation of 2.7 pCi/1. There were 85 samples taken during the first survey. On the second survey, with 156 samples The arithmetic average and std. deviation was 3.8 + 0.3 pCi/l. The G.M. was 3.8 pCi/l with geometric std. deviation of 2.2 pCi/1. The second survey was done during winter using a modified survey form. The results from both surveys indicated a log-normal distribution. The system is in process of begin certified by the EPA. The system is ready to be used for larger scale survey.