HO(X) PRODUCTION DUE TO RADON DECAY IN AIR

The H(x) (OH and HO2) production rate in indoor air caused by radon de cay was measured by the chemical amplification technique. The average HO(x) production rate was found to be (4.31 +/- 0.07) x 10(5) HO(x) pe r Rn decay per second (Bq) within the range of relative humidity from 3.4 to 55.0 percent at 22-degrees-C. This work provided G(HO(x))-value , 7.86 +/- 0.13 #/100 eV in air by directly measuring [HO(x)] from rad iolysis of water vapor. It is also found that there is no obvious rela tionship between the HO(x) production rate and the relative humidity i n this range. Therefore, this work provides both the basic data for th e evaluation of radioactive pollution in indoor air as well as a poten tially useful way to produce HO(x) concentrations in air.