International intercomparison and quality assessment of passive and active 222Rn measuring devices in the Asia-Pacific region

Abstract

Intercomparison exercise is an integral part of the quality assurance programmes in ²²²Rn measurements using active and passive devices. Ensuring the accuracy of data generated through measurements necessitates periodic performance checks. To achieve harmonization of methods, quantify biases and errors in measurements, and identify the reasons for discrepancies, there is a pressing need for periodic intercomparison exercises. To address this need of numerous laboratories, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, a calibration facility for ²²²Rn measuring devices has been established at the Centre for Advanced Research in Environmental Radioactivity (CARER), Mangalore University, India. An international intercomparison exercise for the ²²²Rn measuring devices was conducted at this facility in the year 2022 with the participation of 10 laboratories from six countries. A total of 354 devices (comprising of both active and passive detectors) were subjected to intercomparison measurements by exposing them to three concentration levels: (5.97 ± 0.29) × 10³ Bq m⁻³, (0.70 ± 0.09) × 10³ Bq m⁻³ and (2.02 ± 0.20) × 10³ Bq m⁻³ in separate experiments and the exposure durations were 7 days, 15 days, and 10 days respectively. The performance of each laboratory was evaluated following the criterion adopted by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in its worldwide proficiency test programmes. This exercise brought out the fact that some of the laboratories need to improve their measurement practices to produce reliable data.