212Pb-Bearing Aerosols in Subreactor Rooms of the Chernobyl NPP Shelter
- Authors: Ogorodnikov B.I.1,2, Khan V.E.2
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Affiliations:
- Karpov Research Institute of Physical Chemistry
- Institute of NPP Safety Problems
- Issue: Vol 61, No 1 (2019)
- Pages: 109-117
- Section: Article
- URL: https://journals.rcsi.science/1066-3622/article/view/224962
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1066362219010168
- ID: 224962
Cite item
Abstract
The results of five-year studies in Shelter subreactor rooms are summarized. At height elevations from 0 to 12 m, the mean volume activity (VA) of 212Pb-bearing aerosols is about 10 Bq m−3. The main source of 220Rn and of its daughter 212Pb is 232Th contained in the building structures. The maximal 212Pb VA is observed in the warm period of a year, and the minimal VA, in the cold period. In ventilation releases through the Bypass system, VA of 212Pb is 4–5 times lower than in subreactor room. The activity median aerodynamic diameter (AMAD) of 212Pb-bearing aerosols in most cases was within the range 0.06–0.4 µm. During works in subreactor space, the irradiation via 212Pb inhalation can amount to 3–5% of the annual effective dose limit (20 mSv) adopted in Ukraine.
About the authors
B. I. Ogorodnikov
Karpov Research Institute of Physical Chemistry; Institute of NPP Safety Problems
Email: khanv@mail.ru
Russian Federation, ul. Vorontsovo Pole 10, Moscow, 105064; vul. Kirova 36a, Chernobyl, Kyiv oblast, 07270
V. E. Khan
Institute of NPP Safety Problems
Author for correspondence.
Email: khanv@mail.ru
Ukraine, vul. Kirova 36a, Chernobyl, Kyiv oblast, 07270