Logistic of surveys of retrospective radon concentrations by home-stored CDs/DVDs

Radiat Prot Dosimetry. 2011 May;145(2-3):300-4. doi: 10.1093/rpd/ncr057. Epub 2011 Apr 6.

Abstract

Recently, a method for rather precise retrospective (222)Rn measurements, based on home-stored compact disks (CDs)/DVDs, has demonstrated a promising potential for wide application. In Bulgaria, pilot surveys have been initiated based on voluntarily provided CDs/DVDs. The results showed that large-scale surveys could be efficiently organised. However, several problems were identified and are discussed in the report. The first is the relatively small proportion of participants (30-50 %) that actually provided disks. Other addressed topics include the compatibility between results of different disks from one place, the accuracy of dating CDs/DVDs and the possibility for individual a posteriori calibration of each disk. The possibility to follow year-to-year variations by disks of different age is also discussed.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive / analysis*
  • Bulgaria
  • Compact Disks*
  • Housing*
  • Humans
  • Radiation Monitoring / instrumentation*
  • Radon / analysis*

Substances

  • Air Pollutants, Radioactive
  • Radon