Radiation Safety Assessment of Airborne Particulate Matter Monitoring Devices Using Radioactive Nuclides in Public Areas
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Abstract
This study assessed the radiation safety of Beta Attenuation Monitors (BAM) used for measuring airborne particulate matter, which use radioactive nuclides Carbon-14 (C-14), Krypton-85 (Kr-85), and Promethium-147 (Pm-147) as beta-emitting sources. Radiation exposure was assessed by measuring ambient dose levels at monitoring sites and by simulating potential release scenarios. Radiation doses were analyzed for two scenarios: normal operation (radioactive materials with sealed) and accidental environmental release. In normal operation, all three radionuclides resulted in radiation doses for both workers and the public that were below the dose limits set by the International Basic Safety Standards (IAEA GSR Part 3). In an accidental release, estimated doses for workers and members of the public over two years old remained under IAEA emergency exposure reference levels. However, for children under two, C-14 and Pm-147 doses (70.30 and 62.90 millisieverts, respectively) exceeded the 50.00 millisievert IAEA emergency reference level, highlighting particular risk to this group. These results provide key data to inform radiation safety monitoring, preparedness, and emergency response planning by the Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP).
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