Closed CR-39 detectors

The safest equipment for long-term measurement of radongas in homes and other buildings.

● Exceptionally low number of background tracks
● Protected against static electricity.
● Packed in a 100% radonsafe bag.
● Analyzed in our own, state-of-the-art, track-etch laboratory.
● Confidential processing of monitoring results.
● Quality assured by accreditation after ISO/ IEC 17025, SWEDAC akkr.nr.10243.

What is track-etch?

A track-etch film is a small chip made of a material that has the ability to record alfa-particle radiation. Alfa beams from radon and its daughter products have great energy and leave microscopic damage (tracks) when they hit this material. Our laboratory utilizes plastic of type CR-39 for track recording. Through chemical treatment, these tracks can be magnified and counted under a microscope. The number of tracks found is proportional to the radon level. In our track-etch laboratory, analysis of detectors is an automated process.

Radonlab's track-etch detectors

Radonlab provides a new improved type of closed CR-39 track-etch detectors that are analyzed in our own state-of-the-art laboratory. Measurements are quality-assured according to international standards. We participate regularly in international comparison tests.

Why long-term measurement?

Radonlevels indoors vary widely over time (hours or days). The variations may be due to changes in climatic parameters such as temperature, air pressure, wind-speed and direction etc. It is important to measure the average long-term radonlevel because it is this average value that can be related to health risks (lung cancer). It is common to use track-etch detectors for measurement over a minimum of 2 months. Radonmeasurements should be performed during the winter months from october to april, or alternatively, over six months from midsummer to midwinter (or vice versa).

When can I measure over a shorter time?

Are you fixing up your basement, or simply don't have time to wait for 2 months? Thanks to improved sensitivity of our track detectors, you can now measure over only 30 days. Such a measurement can in most cases provide a good indication of any radon issues in your home. With even less time at your disposal you can rent our Ramon- or Scout detector or other electronic devices, for a continuous measurement of radongas. Should you detect high levels of radon, you can immediately begin preventive measures against radon in your home.

Closed or open sporfilm?

When the track-etch material is enclosed in its box, also called the filter chamber (black box), only radongas is released into the box, and not the daughter products. This filtering effect is not present if the track-etch film is openly exposed in the room. In the latter case, there will be greater uncertainty in measurement, since radondaughters may be unevenly distributed in the air. Our closed track-etch detectors have outstanding filtering capabilities and sensitivity and are highly recommended!

What should I be aware of during measurement?

Avoid placing the detectors on the floor or near places where draught might occur (vent, window, frontdoor, etc.). It is important that your home or work place are used normally during the monitoring period. Both homes and workplaces should be vented normally. If you go away for a few days, let some air vents open.

Download user manual and reg. form

How to measure radon in the air?

You must first decide how many detectors (films) you need. This depends on how many important living space areas you have on the two lower floors. Living-space areas are rooms where family members spend most of their time. For example, living room, bedroom, basement living room, office, hobby room, rentals downstairs etc. You need one detector per room. If you have several bedrooms downstairs, you should measure in each of these rooms, even if not all are used daily.
Once you have figured out how many detectors (films) you need click here to order. You tick the box to the left of the closed sporfilm item and enter the number of meters you need. Fill out the contact information on the form. Then click on the submit order button. After a few days you will receive the package in the mail. Operating instructions and a return envelope is included. You then place the detectors yourself in your home according to the instructions:

1. Open the packaging and take out the track-etch cup.

2. Place the track-etch detector on a shelf, a table, in a cupboard, or let it hang from the ceiling in a wire. Keep in mind that you should be measuring in rooms where family members spend most of their time (living room, bedroom, basement room, hobby room, kitchen, dorms ...).

Avoid placing the detector on the floor, in or near windows or vents. It is important to ventilate rooms normally.

3. Use the registration form and fill out the necessary information: track code, the date and time when you started monitoring, etc.

4. After monitoring for a period of at least 2 months (maximum 1 year), fill out the date and time when the measurement ended. You should return the detectors and the registration form to Radonlab as soon as possible. Use the return envelope included with your order or use any type of padded or strong envelope.

We analyze your track-etch detectors and after 10-20 days you will receive a report with the results. Data from the measurements are kept strictly confidential at Radonlab.

Track-etch monitoring at a school. Placing detectors in different rooms in the school building.