Use of Polycarbonate Materials of High Radon Absorption Ability for Measuring Radon

The report comprehends one decade experience in the use of the high radon absorption ability of bisphenol-A based polycarbonates for measuring radon. The three major directions of research and development include: (1) Use of the polycarbonate material, in particular that of which CDs/DVDs are made, as both radon absorber and track detector for measuring radon; (2) Use of a polycarbonate foil as an absorber that serves as radiator of an external detector; (3) Use of CDs/DVDs for combined retrospective measurements of radon and thoron. The emphasis is made on the application of CDs/DVDs as “radon sensors” available practically at any dwelling. This allows to develop an integrated approach to the radon problem. Within this approach the basic process “detection → diagnostic → mitigation” is considered as an united whole, all actions of which can be performed in relatively short time. This is illustrated with a case of kindergarten, one of the problem dwellings identified and mitigated during our year 2012 radon campaign.