Radon Dosimeter vs. Real-Time Radon Measurement: Benefits, Drawbacks & Challenges
Radon is an invisible health risk: both in the workplace and in your own home. But how is the radioactive gas measured, and why is this so important? We take a look at the importance of radon measurement, the differences between active and passive measurement methods, and their pros and cons.
Annual radon measurement in the workplace
Radon (Rn) is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and forms through the decay of uranium. The gas is colorless and odorless — you therefore can't perceive it with your senses and need an appropriate radon monitor. Since radon atoms are very small, they even penetrate house walls and floor slabs. This means high concentrations of radon can also occur indoors, especially near the ground, such as in basement floors or ground floors, or in poorly ventilated areas.
Exposure to high radon concentrations increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer after smoking. Since people spend a lot of time in work environments, mainly indoors in offices or factories, employees in radon precautionary areas are especially affected. It's therefore important, and in some cases legally required, to carry out regular measurements to ensure that radon concentrations in the workplace stay below the legal limit values and that employee health is protected. The legislature requires checking radon concentration in the workplace in radon precautionary areas to protect employee health. Similar regulations apply abroad.
You'll find more information about the radioactive gas as well as a detailed map of its predominant distribution in Germany in our post "Radon: The Radioactive Gas in Living Spaces."
Active & passive radon measurement: pros & cons
There are two main methods for radon measurement: active and passive measurement. For the annual mandatory radon measurement in radon protection areas by employers, passive measurement methods are currently primarily used.
Passive radon measurement
Passive measurements use special detectors or dosimeters that are placed in a room for a certain period. These detectors capture radon exposure over a longer period (usually a year). Values can't be read during the measurement. After the measurement period ends, the detectors or dosimeters must be sent to a laboratory for evaluation. There, the collected data is analyzed, and radon concentration is calculated. The results are then passed on to the user in the form of a report or notification.
The benefit of passive radon measurement lies in its simplicity. This method requires no ongoing monitoring and is relatively easy to carry out.
The drawback, however, is the delayed data access. Since passive measurements are carried out over a longer period and radon concentration can't be read directly on the device, it can take some time before results are available. Furthermore, only the average radon concentration is measured. This can turn out very low, for example, if there's ventilation. This can dramatically underestimate the actual danger in the building, since, for example, a completely different ventilation pattern could be present in the neighboring room.
Active radon measurement
With active measurements, on the other hand, special devices like radon monitors with electronic radon detection (e.g. an ionization chamber) are used, which continuously measure radon concentration in the air. This lets the monitors provide real-time monitoring. Active radon monitors like the air-Q radon provide continuous data that enables an immediate response if high radon concentrations are detected. Measurement in various rooms throughout the building is also reliably possible this way.
Radon measurement with the air-Q radon
The air-Q radon offers you various evaluation options: you can read radon concentration directly on the air-Q. For this, the radon monitor has an easy-to-understand LED display. Using the changing color scale, you can quickly tell whether radon levels in your room are elevated or limit values are exceeded. The app also provides detailed charts of the pollutant's development and sends you push notifications as warnings.
Besides real-time measurement, another benefit is the high accuracy of the measurements. The air-Q radon has a very sensitive, patented radon sensor that can determine radon concentration in real time.
The air-Q radon also has up to 10 other dedicated sensors that detect other air pollutants too: CO₂, air temperature, relative and absolute humidity, dew point, air pressure, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) and particulate matter. Each reading is captured via its own, high-quality sensor. This lets the air-Q radon precisely distinguish between the various measured quantities, ensuring a comprehensive air analysis. So it can also continue to be used as a practical office helper after the radon measurement.
Based on this data, you and your employees are made more aware of the topic of "good room air." After all, you need the best conditions in the workplace to be productive. But numerous air pollutants inhibit concentration and performance, can even promote disease, or trigger disruptive symptoms. With an air quality monitor, you monitor the quality of room air and can actively intervene when conditions for a healthy work environment are no longer met. Read more about how room air quality affects work here.
Test your knowledge about radon now in our quiz: