Negative correlation between the number of sunspots and the occurrence of 7Be and 22Na in the surface air and their contribution to radiation doses.

This article presents yearly mean concentrations of cosmogenic radionuclides 7Be and 22Na occurring in dry and wet depositions (fallout) and aerosols. Time dependencies negatively correlated with the yearly mean number of sunspots. Activity concentrations of 7Be and 22Na in aerosols in the surface air had a correlation of near-unity. 7Be in aerosols exhibited a smoother time dependence than 22Na, implying that the production of 22Na is more sensitive to the solar activity than the production of 7Be. The effect of the measured doses on the general population through internal and external exposure to radiation from cosmogenic radionuclides was small.

Evaluation of the radon interference on the performance of the portable monitoring air pump for radioactive aerosols (MARE).

A compact portable aerosol sampling and measurement device was developed at Jozef Stefan Institute (JSI). A CeBr3 scintillation detector is positioned centrally within a concertinaed filter assembly. It provides continuous and via network communications on-line monitoring of low levels of airborne radioactive particulates. The evaluation of the response of the device to the natural background at controlled conditions with elevated radon concentrations, performed at the National Institute of Ionizing Radiation Metrology of ENEA, is presented.

Compact radioactive aerosol monitoring device for early warning networks.

In the frame of the European metrological research project MetroERM, a compact portable aerosol sampling and measurement device was developed at Jozef Stefan Institute. The system incorporates a CeBr3 scintillation detector positioned centrally within a concertinaed filter assembly and an improved high flow rate air pump. It provides continuous on-line low level airborne radioactive particulate monitoring for field station use via 3G network communications. The calibration of the device was performed at National Physical Laboratory (NPL) with filters, spiked with a certified mixed nuclide solution. Additionally first tests were performed in an environment with an elevated radon concentration.