4 07/2016
AlphaE
–User Manual
Measurements provide clarity!
According to this principle measure-
ments of the radon exposure form the fundamental requirements for
assessing the risk human beings are subjected to, for adopting
appropriate safety measures as well as for planning and implementing
mitigation actions for the population and workers.
Generally, assessments of human radon exposure and dose are derived
from averaged measurements of the radon concentration at the spots
where the people habitually stay like homes and work places, ignoring
the actual use of the premises. As peoples’ living behaviour and residing
habits affect the prevailing level of radon and its decay products on a
high degree the above mentioned approach implies significant
uncertainties in determining the real personal radon exposure and
received dose. Accurate exposure and dose estimation can be obtained
by using active measurement devices which provide real-time data and
are permanently worn by the persons under surveillance.
For this purpose
AlphaE
, based on a silicon diode diffusion chamber, a
light-weight personal exposimeter, has been developed by a cooperation
of the Munich Helmholtz Centre and Saphymo GmbH, Germany. AlphaE
is available in two versions:
AlphaE (SI): Displays and stores the values in SI units (Bq, Sv and °C)
AlphaE (US): Displays and stores the values in US units (Ci, rem and °F)
Combining all suitable features
AlphaE
represents an appropriate tool for
recording the personal exposure to radon and the accumulated dose as
well as for stationary short- and long-term monitoring of indoor radon
concentration. The detector provides a wide measurement range up to
10 MBq/m³ and is sufficiently sensitive for reliable measurements also
below 100 Bq/m³.
This manual describes all basic functions of the
AlphaE
necessary for
complying with above mentioned measuring requirements. It contains
general advice for safe handling as well as recommendations for reason-
able use. The goal is to quickly put the user in a position to conduct
high-quality measurements and screenings.
In principle
AlphaE
is a user-friendly instrument. Its few functions can
be mastered easily, quickly making the instruction manual superfluous.
For any questions that are not answered by this manual, please contact
Saphymo GmbH directly. We will do our best to solve the problem quick-
ly.
