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Low-level radon standard chamber goes on line

31.10.2014

PTB has extended its services with regard to Rn-222: PTB now also provides its customers with calibrations at activity concentrations between 100 Bq/m3 and 1000 Bq/m3 with the low measurement uncertainties of only 2 % that are typical of PTB. This offer results from the findings of D. Linzmaier's doctoral degree which she achieved in 2013 and was extended by the corresponding quality assurance measures for the operation of a PTB calibration facility.

This new service is perfectly timed as the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) has recently increased the estimated biological effectiveness of radon. Radon thus contributes to a much higher effective dose than previously thought. This has consequences: a pan-European uniform reference value has, for the first time, been laid down for the mean radon concentration in buildings. This reference value is 300 Bq/m3 and is thus clearly lower than the previous (non-binding) recommendations. Within the next three years, these specifications will have to be transposed into national law.