Detection properties of a measuring system for a continuous soil radon concentrations monitoring.

The continual soil-gas radon concentration measurements are absolutely crucial for a reliable assessment of radon entry characteristics into the indoor building environment. For this purpose, a new detection system (a continuous monitor RM-3) was developed and tested. The detection principle of the monitoring device is based on an airflow ionisation chamber operating in a current mode. A comprehensive series of testing and calibration experiments have been carried out in a laboratory environment. An output signal of the device caused by the radon concentration in a sensitive detection volume significantly depends on a detector ventilation rate, the gas flow rate through the ionisation chamber. A set of calibration experiments was accomplished with the artificial radon source application and close circuit experimental arrangements. The system detection properties including applied experimental conditions and key results of pilot in situ measurements are reported in detail.