Assessment of Radiological Safety of Ceramic Tiles Commonly Used in Polish Buildings.

The concentration of natural radionuclides Ra, Th and K in ceramic tiles manufactured in Poland is presented in this paper. The concentration of natural radioactive isotopes in the tested samples was determined using a low-level digital gamma ray spectrometer equipped with an HPGe semiconductor detector. The mean concentrations of Ra, Th and K in the analyzed samples were found to be 48 ± 3 Bq∙kg, 49 ± 3 Bq∙kg and 476 ± 23 Bq∙kg, respectively.

Determination of Pu, Pu and Am in air filters.

The aim of this work is to present the method for sequential plutonium and americium activity determination in air filters using chromatographic radionuclide separation and alpha spectrometry measurement. The developed method may be employed for the purposes of workplace monitoring and as an indicator of the need of introducing the individual monitoring as well as a useful complementation of individual monitoring. Basic parameters describing the developed method such as values of chemical recoveries and minimum detectable activities for plutonium and americium isotopes have been determined.

Uncertainties in determination of 131I activity in thyroid gland.

The values of the iodine 131I uptake determined from the measurements with a NaI scintillation counter might be significantly influenced by the thyroid position in the human neck. It is shown that the ratio of the counting rate in the energy peak of 364 keV to the counting rate in the Compton scattering band can be used for the determination of the effective depth of the thyroid. The uncertainties of the standard method are discussed basing on results of calibration measurements.