Radon Measurement Units: Picocuries and Becquerels

Radon Measurement Units: Picocuries and Becquerels

Radon is a radioactive gas that can seep into your home from the soil and rock and pose a serious health risk. According to Health Canada, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and it kills more than 3,000 Canadians every year.

Therefore, it is important to test your home for radon and take action to reduce it if it is high. But how do you measure radon and what units do you use? In this blog post, we will compare the two main units used for measuring radon: picocuries per liter (pCi/L) and becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m³). We will explain what they mean, how they are related, and which one is better for understanding and communicating radon levels.

The history of Picocuries and Becquerels

The historical evolution of units of measurement for radioactivity, specifically picocuries (pCi) and becquerels (Bq), reflects the pioneering discoveries and advancements in the field of nuclear physics. The becquerel, named after Henri Becquerel, was established in recognition of his seminal work in 1896 when he accidentally discovered radioactivity while investigating phosphorescent materials. Becquerel's discovery led to a fundamental shift in our understanding of atomic structure and laid the groundwork for subsequent research into the properties of radioactive elements. The becquerel was formally adopted as the International System of Units (SI) unit for radioactivity in 1975, representing one disintegration per second.

Conversely, the picocurie is a unit of radioactivity derived from the curie, named after Marie and Pierre Curie, who made transformative contributions to the study of radioactivity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The curie was initially defined as the amount of radioactive material that undergoes 3.7 × 10^10 disintegrations per second, reflecting the pioneering experiments of the Curies with radium and polonium. While the SI unit system standardized radioactivity measurements with the introduction of the becquerel, the picocurie continues to be widely used in the United States and some other countries.

One curie equals 3.7 × 10^10 becquerels, and one picocurie corresponds to 0.037 becquerels. This conversion factor allows for the comparison and interchangeability of measurements between picocuries and becquerels. Despite the adoption of the becquerel as the primary SI unit for radioactivity, the picocurie remains prevalent in various applications, particularly in the United States. This dual usage underscores the importance of understanding both measurement systems in interpreting and communicating radioactivity data effectively.

What are Picocuries and Becquerels?

According to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) picocuries and becquerels are units of radioactivity, which measure how many radioactive decay events occur in a given amount of time. A radioactive decay event is when an unstable atom breaks down into smaller atoms and releases radiation and energy. Radon is a radioactive gas that decays into other radioactive elements, such as polonium, lead, and bismuth. These elements are called radon progeny or radon daughters, and they also decay and emit radiation. According to the American Lung Association (ALA) the radiation from radon and its progeny can damage the DNA of your lung cells and cause cancer.

According to United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) a picocurie (pCi) is a unit of radioactivity that is commonly used in the United States. It is equal to one trillionth of a curie, which is the amount of radioactivity in one gram of radium. A picocurie per liter (pCi/L) is the number of picocuries in one liter of air. For example, if you have a radon concentration of 4 pCi/L, it means that there are 4 picocuries of radon in every liter of air in your home.

A becquerel (Bq) is the SI unit of radioactivity, which is used in most parts of the world, including Europe and Canada. It is equal to one radioactive decay per second. A becquerel per cubic meter (Bq/m³) is the number of becquerels in one cubic meter of air. For example, if you have a radon concentration of 148 Bq/m³, it means that there are 148 becquerels of radon in every cubic meter of air in your home.

How are Picocuries and Becquerels Related?

Picocuries and becquerels are related by a conversion factor, which is approximately 37 Bq/m³ per 1 pCi/L. This means that if you multiply the radon concentration in pCi/L by 37, you will get the radon concentration in Bq/m³, and vice versa. For example, if you have a radon concentration of 4 pCi/L, you can convert it to Bq/m³ as follows:

Radon Concentration in Bq/m³ = 4 pCi/L × 37 = 148 Bq/m³

Similarly, if you have a radon concentration of 148 Bq/m³, you can convert it to pCi/L as follows:

Radon Concentration in pCi/L = 148 Bq/m³ ÷ 37 = 4 pCi/L

You can use this conversion factor to compare radon levels measured in different units and to follow the guidelines and standards set by different authorities.

Radon Concentration Converter

Effortlessly assess and compare radon concentrations with our Radon Concentration Converter. Input the quantity in either Becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m³) or Picocuries per liter (pCi/L), select the units for conversion, and let our tool provide you with precise and accurate results.

This user-friendly feature empowers you to make informed decisions about radon levels, ensuring a safer and healthier indoor environment. Whether you are a homeowner, a radon professional, or anyone concerned about indoor air quality, our Radon Concentration Converter simplifies the process of understanding and managing radon exposure.

Which Unit is Better for Measuring Radon?

There is no definitive answer to which unit is better for measuring radon, as both units have their advantages and disadvantages. However, some of the factors that may influence your preference are:

• Familiarity and consistency: You may prefer to use the unit that you are more familiar with and that is more consistent with the measurement system that you use for other quantities, such as length, volume, and mass. For example, if you use the metric system, you may find it easier to use becquerels, as they are compatible with cubic meters. If you use the imperial system, you may find it easier to use picocuries, as they are compatible with liters.
  

• Precision and accuracy: You may prefer to use the unit that gives you more precision and accuracy in your measurements, especially when dealing with low or high radon levels. For example, if you have a very low radon level, such as 10 Bq/m³, you may find it more precise to use becquerels, as they are smaller units than picocuries.
  

• Communication and comparison: You may prefer to use the unit that allows you to communicate and compare your radon levels more effectively with different audiences and sources of information, such as radon professionals, researchers, regulators, and media.

Conclusion

Radon measurement units can be complex, but understanding the difference between picocuries and becquerels and how to convert between them can greatly enhance your ability to comprehend and discuss radon levels. Whether you prefer to use picocuries or becquerels, the most important thing is to test your home for radon and take action to reduce it if it is high.

Find out more about our radon testing and radon consulting solutions, By doing so, you can protect your health and the health of your loved ones from the dangers of radon.