| Use: | Analysis of gamma radiation. |
Description:
The system to measure gamma radiation consists of a charged Teflon disk (electret), an ionization chamber, an electret voltage reader, and an optional data logger. When the electret is screwed into the chamber, a static electrostatic field is established and a passive ionization chamber is formed. The chamber is deployed directly at any location where average gamma radiation needs to be measured over a desired time interval. The gamma radiation penetrates the 2-mm thick electrically conducting plastic body of the chamber and ionizes the air molecules. The ions are attracted to the charged surface of the electret, and the electret charge originally present gets reduced. The electret charge is measured before and after the exposure with a portable electret voltage reader, and the rate of change of the charge (change divided by the time of exposure) is proportional to the average gamma radiation level presented to the detector.
Analytes:
8. Radionuclides
Media:
| Soil/Sediment | Water | Gas/Air |
| BETTER | BETTER | BETTER |
| Selectivity: | Technique measures the gamma radiation emitted by the radionuclide. |
| Susceptibility to Interference: | Low. |
| Detection Limits : | 100-1000 ppb (soil); 1-50 ppb (water). |
| Turnaround Time per Sample: | Minutes. |
| Applicable To: | |||
| Screen/Identify | Characterize Concentration/Extent | Cleanup Performance | Long-Term Monitoring |
| BETTER | BETTER | BETTER | BETTER |
| Quantitative Data Capability: | Does not produce quantitative data. |
| Technology Status: | Commercially available technology with limited field experience. |
| Certification/Verification: | Technology has not participated in CalEPA certification and/or CSCT verification program. |
| Relative Cost per Analysis: | Least expensive. |
Limitations:
ASTM Standards/EPA Methods:
No applicable ASTM standards or EPA methods are cited for this technology.
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