Abstract: Study on the accurate measurement method of radon progeny is essential for establishing measurement standards of radon progeny concentration and for verification of commercial radon progeny measuring devices and it is important for studying radon progeny behavior and environmental radon exposure assessments. In this paper, based on radon progeny measuring principles, a study was conducted about the development rules and trends of radon progeny measurement methods by reviewing the development history of radon progeny measurement and comparing some commonly used measuring methods. The comparison results indicate that for the accurate measurement, α spectroscopic method is better than gross α method; Multi-period counting and Least-square calculating method is better than traditional three-count of five count method. Multi-period and simultaneous counting of α plus β spectra and weighted least-square calculation might be the future of the accurate measurement of radon progeny.

Key words: radon progeny, accurate measurement, α spectroscopic method, least-square method