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

[Nathan Sutherland]

I found an additional resource to better flesh out the process I am describing.

http://www.amug.us/downloads/Use%20of%20Canberra%20iCAMs%20at%20Argonne%20National%20Lab.pdf

-Nathan

On Fri, Dec 5, 2014 at 6:56 PM, Nathan Sutherland <sutherln at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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