A prospective assessment of the Po-210 surface collection for estimating Rn-222 exposure

Previous studies have examined the utility of measuring the embedded Po-210 in solid materials as an indicator of long-term Rn-222 exposure. However, in those studies, existing surfaces were employed. In this prospective stud y, pairs of glass surfaces were placed in homes around the United States al ong with an LR-115-II-etched track radon detector for each piece of glass. A subset of these glass samples has been analyzed for Po-210 activity, The results of measurements on a subset of samples are presented. The independe nt Rn-222 measurements are compared with the Po-210 measurements and a rela tionship is obtained between the two results using a model for the accumula tion of activity within an enclosed space. The data are interpreted in term s of (a) the usefulness of the Po-210 measurements as a long-term Rn-222 de tector and (b) the value of a new interpretation scheme to make retrospecti ve assessments of the Rn-222 exposure within rooms. (C) 2000 Elsevier Scien ce Ltd. All rights reserved.