Michael E. Kitto

Emanation of radon from household granite.

Emanation of radon (222Rn) from granite used for countertops and mantels was measured with continuous and integrating radon monitors. Each of the 24 granite samples emitted a measurable amount of radon. Of the two analytical methods that utilized electret-based detectors, one measured the flux of radon from the granite surfaces, and the other one measured radon levels in a glass jar containing granite cores. Additional methods that were applied utilized alpha-scintillation cells and a continuous radon monitor. Measured radon flux from the granites ranged from 2 to 310 mBq m−2 s−1, with most granites emitting <20 mBq m−2 s−1. Emanation of radon from granites encapsulated in airtight containers produced equilibrium concentrations ranging from <0.01 to 11 Bq kg−1 when alpha-scintillation cells were used, and from <0.01 to 4.0 Bq kg−1 when the continuous radon monitor was used.

Performance of a commercial radon-in-water measurement kit

Methods currently approved for the measurement of radon ((222)Rn) in water in New York State are liquid scintillation counting and emanation into alpha-scintillation cells. A passive system using an electret ion chamber (EIC) was evaluated as an alternative for the measurement of radon in water. Over 130 water samples from a community water supply containing 32BqL(-1) and 30 standards containing 686BqL(-1) were measured using the EIC method over 1- to 4-day exposure times. For comparison, identical samples were measured using liquid scintillation counting. Results of duplicate samples were typically within 5% for liquid scintillation counting and within 10% for the EIC. With respect to accuracy, the EIC produced results that were consistently low by 11-15%.

Airborne gamma-ray emitters from Fukushima detected in New York State

An air-sampling network that operates continuously as part of New York State’s environmental surveillance program collected radionuclides emitted as a result of the Fukushima nuclear accident. Samples were collected, typically for 7xa0days each, by drawing ~600xa0m3 of air through a particulate-collecting filter followed in series by a canister containing activated charcoal. Additional air sampling was implemented at ~3-day intervals at two locations. Gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to confirm the detection of 131I, 137Cs, 134Cs, and 7Be in the particulate phase at all sites, with maximum concentrations near 1,260, 160, 160, and 5,200xa0μBq/m3, respectively. Gas-phase 131I, collected on activated charcoal, exhibited a maximum concentration of 3,400xa0μBq/m3 at the sites. Assessment of radionuclide levels in the air samples suggests that there were minimal health impacts from the airborne radionuclides as the activities contributed an insignificant amount to the annual human dose.

Assessment of the multimedia mitigation of radon in New York.

Although not yet implemented, the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act instructed the states (or local water suppliers) to address radon concentrations in community water systems (CWS). As an alternative to reducing waterborne radon concentrations in the CWS to the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 11 Bq L−1, states (or individual CWS) would be permitted to develop a multimedia mitigation (MMM) program, which allowed a greater concentration (148 Bq L−1) of waterborne radon in the CWS, if it could be shown that an equivalent health risk reduction could be achieved by reducing indoor radon concentrations. For a MMM program to be acceptable, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency required the health-risk reduction attained through mitigations and radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) to offset the increased health risk due to radon in community water systems above the MCL of 11 Bq L−1. A quantitative assessment indicates that the reduction in health risk currently achieved in New York State through radon mitigations and RRNC exceeded the increase in risk associated with an alternative MCL of 148 Bq L−1. The implementation of a MMM program in New York would result in an overall reduction in the health risk associated with exposure to radon.

Long-term monitoring of radioactivity in fish from New York waters

As part of an environmental surveillance program operated by the New York State (NYS) Department of Health, measurements of various radionuclides in aquatic life (primarily fish) collected from waterways in NYS have occurred for decades. An investigation was undertaken to gain a better understanding of the occurrence, activity levels, and extent of radionuclide variations in aquatic life obtained from local waterways in relation to concentrations reported in fish from sites outside NYS (e.g., Pacific Ocean tuna). The man-made isotopes (137)Cs and (90)Sr were detectable at activities below 1xa0Bq/kg in the edible portions of fish from most NYS waterways, with the exception of greater activities in fish collected downstream of Brookhaven National Laboratory. Calculated effective doses resulting from eating the fish, estimated as 11-390xa0nSv/yr for (137)Cs and 0.3-7.9xa0nSv/yr for (90)Sr, are considered extremely low.

Radon measurement of natural gas using alpha scintillation cells

Due to their sensitivity and ease of use, alpha-scintillation cells are being increasingly utilized for measurements of radon ((222)Rn) in natural gas. Laboratory studies showed an average increase of 7.3% in the measurement efficiency of alpha-scintillation cells when filled with less-dense natural gas rather than regular air. A theoretical calculation comparing the atomic weight and density of air to that of natural gas suggests a 6-7% increase in the detection efficiency when measuring radon in the cells. A correction is also applicable when the sampling location and measurement laboratory are at different elevations. These corrections to the measurement efficiency need to be considered in order to derive accurate concentrations of radon in natural gas.

Radionuclide and chemical hazards of a radium ore revigator

A study to characterize the radionuclide and chemical components in a radium-ore revigator has been completed. Measured activities of dissolved 222Rn, 226Ra, and U isotopes, determined in the water using radioanalytical techniques, exceeded recommended limits in drinking-water supplies. Trace-metal concentrations, determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, increased in the water with exposure time and exceeded recommended drinking-water limits for V and As. The contribution to, and dose from, the airborne radon-gas level in a room due to radon emanation from a revigator were evaluated. The annual committed effective dose resulting from consuming the radionuclides in the revigator water were estimated to be ~100xa0μSv/y for combined uranium and radium.