[ RadSafe ] Field determination of radon progeny

[Joseph Alvarez]

There are some indicators that contamination may be radon. Cold, dry,
inversion conditions are the usual times when substantial radon collection
occurs. Vehicle checks may also show radon collection, especially on the
tires. Radon/thoron collects on clothing by electrostatic attraction. The
typical locations are knees, elbows, and the top of hard hats. If numerous
people show up with this pattern of contamination without an obvious other
source, the conclusion for radon is justified. Otherwise, follow Eric's
suggestions.

On Tue, Apr 13, 2010 at 10:46 AM, <Eric.Goldin at sce.com> wrote:

> I didn't ever see too much on the actual answer to Rick Hansen's question
> on field determination of radon progeny:
>
> I have a question for radsafe:
>
> What are some methods to use in the field to determine if low levels of
> radiation detected on a person or clothing is due to radon daughters
> rather than radioactive contamination from other sources?
>
> Nuclear plants have a duty to not release people who are contaminated with
> licensed radioactive material (plant-related).  So to distinguish between
> naturally occurring rad material (i.e. radon progeny) and plant-related
> noble gases (typically Xe-133), the worker is typically asked to simply
> wait for decay.  With most radon progeny having short half-lives (less
> than 20 minutes), a short decay period will usually drop the
> electrostatically bound radon daughters to a sufficiently low level such
> that they will pass the whole body contamination monitors.  Anything
> longer-lived is likely plant-related and therefore requires documentation,
> decontamination, investigation, . . . .     Of course an option is to take
> the clothes and place them on a HpGe detector for a qualitative evaluation
> - if the count room has the time.
>
>
> Eric M. Goldin, CHP
> <Eric.Goldin at sce.com>
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-- 
Joseph L. Alvarez, PhD, CHP
Alpha Beta Gamut
716 Schenley Rd.
Knoxville, TN 37923
Phone: 865-591-0175