[ RadSafe ] Radon/Thoron detection by alpha spec in rain washout scenarios.

[Nathan Sutherland]

Thank you for the reply,

It seems the methods outlined in the aforementioned link are to
determine relative concentration by volume.  I am interested in
discriminating radon/thoron progeny from other alpha sources based on
discrete energy levels registered within a detector medium.  Previous
to my experience .with the PIPS (Passivated Implanted Planar Silicon)
detector I was only familiar with it being accomplished via counting
liquid or gas.

If anyone can expand on this it would be greatly appreciated!

-Nathan

On Fri, Dec 5, 2014 at 6:22 PM, Nick Tsurikov <nick.tsurikov at gmail.com> wrote:
> Dear Nathan,
> Please have a look on one of our Western Australian guidelines:
> No.4.3 on airborne radioactivity sampling, here:
> http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/6745.aspx
> Specifically - Appendix A showing methods for the measurement of
> radon/thoron progeny using short-term air sampling and then alpha counting,
> there is a summary of several methods there.
> Kind regards
> Nick Tsurikov
>
> On Sat, Dec 6, 2014 at 12:03 AM, Nathan Sutherland <sutherln at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> Good morning,
>>
>> I have recently had the opportunity of toying around with the alpha
>> spec function in canberra's iCAM system.  The PIPS detector located
>> within the instrument seems well suited (aside from cost) to
>> discriminate against radon/thoron progeny with regards to contaminated
>> personnel.  To my knowledge radon/thoron is traditionally detected
>> using proprietary algorithms found in most whole body monitors that
>> are capable of alpha detection.  Said algorithm looks to rely solely
>> on relative concentration of the activity that has been found,.
>>
>> Does anyone have any insight as to how effective it would be to have
>> "contaminated" staff exit the whole body monitors to have a cursory
>> sample taken with an iCAM to aid in direct or indirect detection
>> through its ability to perform alpha spectroscopy.
>>
>> From my limited experience it would seem the only restriction would be
>> a function of sample time and of course the possibility of compounding
>> results from both anthropogenic and environmental alpha sources.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>> -Nathan Sutherland
>>
>> Radbeginner
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