Breakthrough on radon individual monitoring and protecting miners by novel dual-function monitor on respirator

Abstract

Breakthrough is made on inventing, producing and applying novel dual-function passive individual radon monitor in canister on respirators for radon inhalation monitoring and protecting individuals in particular miners. The rationale in this invention is having individual monitors for determining actual naturally inhaled radon by individuals and protection against particulates in one device. The monitor comprises two passive polycarbonate track detectors (PCTD); one near canister orifice (PCTD/bare), and one under activated carbon fabric (PCTD/ACF) to detect alphas of radon adsorbed on ACF carbon active sites. The PCTD/ACF detects radon with 12.7 times more sensitivity than PCTD/bare; called “Forced Amplification Factor (FAF)”. Monitors were successfully operated and calibrated in laboratory radon chamber using low suction rate pump resembling human natural inhalation. The performance of monitor showed high promises for radon individual monitoring and protection. This novel development also opens new horizons for fundamental and practical scientific research to further upgrade the monitor.