Contamination measurements

Operational procedures applied in a radioprotection context with unsealed sourced make an indirect measurements of the surface and air radioactive contamination necessary The purpose of measuring contamination is to estimate exposure from any dispersion and subsequent new suspension of radioactive material to evaluate its contribution to the total dose.

Measuring removable surface contamination is carried out using the “smear test” technique; the measurement of the air activity concentration provides for aspiration onto a filter and subsequent counting *.

LB Servizi’s provision of instruments and equipment

Allows full conduction of determination of interest:

  • Total alpha**, beta or gamma** count of cellulose disks used for the smear test;
  • Total alpha**, beta or gamma** count of cellulose disks used for aspiration and depositing of radioactive particles dispersed in the air;
  • High resolution gamma spectrometry on cellulose disks used for the smear test, to identify and quantify the radionuclide responsible for surface radioactive contamination;
  • High resolution gamma spectrometry on cellulose disks used for aspiration and depositing of radioactive particles dispersed in the air, to identify and quantify the radionuclide responsible for surface radioactive contamination.
  • Beta scintillation for 3H and other low energy beta emitters

Thanks to the integration of various measurement systems and the availability of highly qualified staff, LB Servizi can carry out full radiological mapping of Nuclear Medicine and Radiometabolic Therapy departments, Radiopharmacy Laboratories, and systems for handling unsealed sources.

Applications

Assessment of radioactive contamination on surfaces and in the air.


Technical specifications

  • Smear test
  • Reference standard: UNI ISO 7503-2:2016
  • Instrument: AT1329, Atomtex
  • Minimum detectable activity: alpha 0.045 Bq/cm2 – beta 0.275 Bq/cm2

* Method not included in the field of application accredited by ACCREDIA
** Radiation not included in the field of application accredited by ACCREDIA