HO x production due to radon decay in air

The HO_x (OH and HO₂) production rate in indoor air caused by radon decay was measured by the chemical amplification technique. The average HO_x production rate was found to be (4.31±0.07)×10⁵ HO_x per Rn decay per second (Bq) within the range of relative humidity from 3.4 to 55.0 percent at 22 °C. This work providedG(HO_x)-value, 7.86±0.13 #/100 eV in air by directly measuring [HO_x] from radiolysis of water vapor. It is also found that there is no obvious relationship between the HO_x production rate and the relative humidity in this range. Therefore, this work provides both the basic data for the evaluation of radioactive pollution in indoor air as well as a potentially useful way to produce HO_x concentrations in air.