title: Production of radioactive particles for use in environmental studies.
abstract: This paper presents an aerosol generation technique developed to produce dry aerosol particles of various sizes from aqueous solutions of salt. The technique was tested with sodium chloride, lithium carbonate and uranyl acetate at various aqueous concentrations which produced particles in the size range of 0.13-1.37 microm Mass Median Diameter (MMD). The generated aerosols were acceptably monodisperse with a geometric standard deviation of 1.4-2. Both MMD and Mass Median Aerodynamic Diameter (MMAD) increased significantly (p<0.001) with increased concentration of the salt in solution. The technique can also be used to generate aerosols of different chemical species. The results obtained indicate that the system is convenient for use with various aerosol-forming materials, with a stable particle size distribution being maintained for a long period of steady operation. The technique was successfully applied in wind tunnel studies to simulate the release of submicron radioactive particles and their interception by crops, grass and tree canopies. The relevance and application of the technique in other areas of environmental assessment studies is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Food Standards Agency, Radiological Protection and Research Management Division, Room 715B, Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH, UK. zitouni.ould-dada@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk
authors.forename: Zitouni
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ould-Dada
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kinnersley
mesh_terms: D000336:Aerosols; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods; D016651:Lithium Carbonate / Q000737:chemistry; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000336:Aerosols; D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C005460:uranyl acetate; D016651:Lithium Carbonate; D012965:Sodium Chloride