Abstract
Alpha and beta particles emitted from radioactive material collected on an air filter may be significantly attenuated by the mass (thickness) of collected dust. In this study, we determined the mass or thickness of the simulated dust deposit by measurement of the attenuation of beta particles from an external radioactive source as the particles pass through the filter-dust combination. This measured attenuation should be empirically related to demonstrated counting efficiency. A graph of mass density vs. fraction of beta source transmitted was developed. This graph provides factors which will correct for selfabsorption losses in the filter during the counting procedure. This experimental procedure could favorably affect the cost and effort required to accurately monitor airborne radioactivity releases from nuclear facilities.
Breida, Margaret A (1994). Evaluation of beta partical densitometry for determination of self-absorption factors in gross alpha and gross beta radioactivity measurements on air particulate filter samples. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -1994 -THESIS -B835.