Development of a low-level radon reference atmosphere.

In order to calibrate measurement devices for the activity concentration of Rn-222 (radon) in air below 1,000 Bq/m(3), a constant for long time (>5d), homogeneous reference atmosphere is created by a certified activity in a certified volume. The PTB developed this reference atmosphere from 150 Bq/m(3) to 2,000 Bq/m(3) based on the precisely known emanation of Rn-222 from a Ra-226 activity standard. This set-up reduces uncertainties and increases the range of traceability for commercial radon measurement devices. Thus, a gap in radon metrology is closed. The new primary standard for reference atmospheres is realised with a combined relative standard uncertainty of 1.1%.