Chemical and radioanalytical investigations of ¹⁰⁶Ru-containing air filters from Vienna in fall 2017: searching for stable element anomalies

authored by

Dorian Zok, Johannes H. Sterba, Georg Steinhauser

Abstract

Related to the recent nuclear release of radioactive ruthenium isotopes in fall 2017, we analyzed air filters from Vienna for irregularities in the (stable) elemental composition of particulate matter from this period. Methods were SEM/EDXS and INAA. For comparison, a reference filter from 2007 and blank filters were used. The chemical fingerprint encompassed 28 elements. The results show no indication for a considerable change in the elemental composition of the suspended matter. For example, no anomalies in the abundance of platinum group elements were found. The results suggest that the release of ¹⁰⁶Ru had not been accompanied by a release of detectable amounts of (activatable) stable elements.

Organisation(s)

Centre for Radiation Protection and Radioecology

External Organisation(s)

TU Wien (TUW)

Type

Article

Journal

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry

Volume

318

Pages

415-421

No. of pages

7

ISSN

0236-5731

Publication date

10.2018

Publication status

Published

Peer reviewed

Yes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Analytical Chemistry, Nuclear Energy and Engineering, Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging, Pollution, Spectroscopy, Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being

Electronic version(s)

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-018-6132-6 (Access: Open)
https://doi.org/10.15488/4253 (Access: Open)