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Answer to Question #6527 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Radon

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Q
I have read about the term "radon aerosol chamber." My questions: What is the conception of developing such a chamber? What kind of detectors can be used in such chambers? What would be the source of radon? Is this chamber only meant for radon or does it allow thoron too? Could you kindly suggest some papers/books for designing this kind of chamber?
A

Radon aerosol chambers are devices of varying size and construction that are used to provide known standard concentrations of radon, most commonly for instrument calibration or research purposes. Various detectors can be used depending on the chamber and its specific use. The source of radon would be a radium source or an ore containing radium. The same type of chamber can be used for thoron, which is an isotope of radon.

Radon chambers of various kinds have been designed and used by numerous experimenters at many different institutions and there are many papers in the literature describing specific chambers, which are sometimes known as exposure chambers. For starters, you may wish to check the classic work by the late Professor J.N. Stannard, Radioactivity and Health, published by Battelle Press in 1989, which contains a good deal of information on exposure chambers and accessory apparatus.

Ron Kathren, CHP
Answer posted on 18 June 2007. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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