Radon alpha track counting on solid state nuclear track detector by an ImageJ-based software macro. 2021

S Frutos-Puerto, and M C Hurtado-Sanchez, and J de la Torre Pérez, and E Pinilla-Gil, and C Miró
Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of Extremadura, Av. de Elvas, s/n, 06006, Badajoz, Spain. Electronic address: samfrutosp@unex.es.

Radon (222Rn) is a radioactive gas emanating from geological materials. Inhalation of this gas is closely related to an increase in the probability of lung cancer if the levels are high. The usual methodology for the quantification of radon by passive methods is the use of etched solid-state nuclear track detectors, frequently in combination with optical microscopes or image scanning for image acquisition and software-based image processing for track counting. Currently available commercial instrumentation, as the Radosys microscopy system, is quite expensive, so the development of alternative methodologies is desirable. In this work, a simple, fast and low-cost image acquisition system for the determination of tracks in chemically etched CR-39 solid-state nuclear track detectors to quantify 222Rn alpha tracks has been proposed. The image of the detector surface is obtained by a conventional light stereoscopic microscope, transmitted by a CCD camera into the computer, and analyzed by the ImageJ open-source software. This methodology was employed to analyze 45 samples collected in dwellings and caves located in the region of Extremadura (Southwest Spain). Results show a good correlation coefficient of r2 = 0.98 between the reference and purposed methodology and excellent repeatability, demonstrating that the system enables routine counting tracks for radon measurement as an alternative to the Radosys microscopy instrument.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007091 Image Processing, Computer-Assisted A technique of inputting two-dimensional or three-dimensional images into a computer and then enhancing or analyzing the imagery into a form that is more useful to the human observer. Biomedical Image Processing,Computer-Assisted Image Processing,Digital Image Processing,Image Analysis, Computer-Assisted,Image Reconstruction,Medical Image Processing,Analysis, Computer-Assisted Image,Computer-Assisted Image Analysis,Computer Assisted Image Analysis,Computer Assisted Image Processing,Computer-Assisted Image Analyses,Image Analyses, Computer-Assisted,Image Analysis, Computer Assisted,Image Processing, Biomedical,Image Processing, Computer Assisted,Image Processing, Digital,Image Processing, Medical,Image Processings, Medical,Image Reconstructions,Medical Image Processings,Processing, Biomedical Image,Processing, Digital Image,Processing, Medical Image,Processings, Digital Image,Processings, Medical Image,Reconstruction, Image,Reconstructions, Image
D011834 Radiation Monitoring The observation, either continuously or at intervals, of the levels of radiation in a given area, generally for the purpose of assuring that they have not exceeded prescribed amounts or, in case of radiation already present in the area, assuring that the levels have returned to those meeting acceptable safety standards. Monitoring, Radiation
D011886 Radon A naturally radioactive element with atomic symbol Rn, and atomic number 86. It is a member of the noble gas family found in soil, and is released during the decay of RADIUM. Actinon,Thoron (Element)
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000396 Air Pollutants, Radioactive Pollutants present in air which exhibit radioactivity. Radioactive Air Pollutants,Pollutants, Radioactive Air
D000512 Alpha Particles Positively charged particles composed of two protons and two NEUTRONS, i.e. equivalent to HELIUM nuclei, which are emitted during disintegration of heavy ISOTOPES. Alpha rays have very strong ionizing power, but weak penetrability. Alpha Rays,Alpha Radiation,Radiation, Alpha,Alpha Particle,Alpha Ray,Particle, Alpha,Particles, Alpha,Ray, Alpha,Rays, Alpha
D012984 Software Sequential operating programs and data which instruct the functioning of a digital computer. Computer Programs,Computer Software,Open Source Software,Software Engineering,Software Tools,Computer Applications Software,Computer Programs and Programming,Computer Software Applications,Application, Computer Software,Applications Software, Computer,Applications Softwares, Computer,Applications, Computer Software,Computer Applications Softwares,Computer Program,Computer Software Application,Engineering, Software,Open Source Softwares,Program, Computer,Programs, Computer,Software Application, Computer,Software Applications, Computer,Software Tool,Software, Computer,Software, Computer Applications,Software, Open Source,Softwares, Computer Applications,Softwares, Open Source,Source Software, Open,Source Softwares, Open,Tool, Software,Tools, Software
D019570 Inhalation Exposure The exposure to potentially harmful chemical, physical, or biological agents by inhaling them. Exposure, Inhalation,Exposures, Inhalation,Inhalation Exposures

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