Pages: 20 - 25

Authors: Pawel OLKO, Maciej BUDZANOWSKI, Pawel BILSKI, Snežana MILOSEVIĆ, Barbara OBRYK, Ewa OCHAB, Miroslav SIMIĆ, Peter STEGNAR, Michael P. R. WALIGÓRSKI, and Zora S. ŽUNIĆ

Abstract

Thermoluminescent MCP-N detectors based on LiF:Mg,Cu,P are by about 2 orders of magnitude more sensitive than TLD-100 detectors based on conventional LiF:Mg,Ti, which makes it possible to use them in short-term monitoring of ionising radiation in the environment (e. g., over a two-week period, rather than over 3-12 months). We describe the properties of MCP-N detectors and methods of their application in environmental monitoring. The system was tested in short and long-term exposure periods at 100 sites around Krakow region. MCP-N detectors were then applied to measure variation of radiation doserate at four selected villages in Serbia, where depleted uranium ammunition was deployed in 1999. Together with short-term thermoluminescent dosimetry, in situ measurements using proportional counters were performed in order to assess the range of variation of natural radiation background in these villages. The mean terrestrial kerma doserate in these villages was found to vary between 85 and 116 nGyh-1 and the average ambient dose equivalent rate H*(10) determined by thermoluminescent detectors and by proportional counter measurements was 160 nSvh-1. These values of natural radiation background doserates can be applied as reference levels for field measurements around other sites where depleted uranium ammunition was deployed.

Key words: thermoluminiscent detector, lithium fluoride, depleted uranium, MCP-N, environmental dose

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