Field comparison of the sampling efficacy of two smear media: cotton fiber and kraft paper.
Two materials were compared in field tests at the Defense Waste Processing Facility: kraft paper (a strong, brown paper made from wood pulp prepared with a sodium sulfate solution) and cotton fiber. Based on a sampling of 46 pairs of smears, the cotton fiber smears provide a greater sensitivity. The cotton fiber smears collected an average of 44% more beta activity than the kraft paper smears and 29% more alpha actvity. Results show a greater sensitivity with cotton fiber over kraft paper at the 95% confidence level. Regulatory requirements for smear materials are vague. The data demonstrate that the difference in sensitivity of smear materials could lead to a large difference in reported results that are subsequently used for meeting shipping regulations or evaluating workplace contamination levels.
DOE Savannah River Site, Aiken, South Carolina, USA. mark.hogue@srs.gov
Mark G
MG
Hogue
D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018505:Waste Management