Common organics as samples to measure radioxenon after nuclear emergency

Radioactive isotopes of xenon are key radionuclides to be monitored in case of nuclear emergency and for control of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. In case of nuclear emergency the concentrations of radioxenon in the close vicinity of the nuclear event are high and can exceed the dynamic range of radioxenon monitors, as it was observed after Fukushima Dai-ichi accident. Some organics have high absorption ability for noble gases. We explored the feasibility of such organics to serve as samples to measure radioxenon. Experiments were organized in which samples of salo (fatback), butter, cosmetic and medical greasy creams and pieces of DVDs were exposed to
^131m
Xe concentration of 7.10
⁵
Bq m
^-3
. Additional exposure to
²²²
Rn at similar concentration was made to study whether
²²²
Rn can be a proper surrogate for extensive laboratory studies needed to develop this method for practical application. The specimens were measured by liquid scintillation counting. The results showed that the signal from all specimens is well above the detection limits and remains quantitatively measurable even when the samples are taken for analysis with sufficient delay (up to 30 h) after the end of exposure. The other conclusion is that the desorption properties of samples exposed to
²²²
Rn are similar to that exposed to
^131m
Xe and therefore,
²²²
Rn can be considered as proper radioxenon surrogate for laboratory studies on the method.