title: Radiological dispersal device outdoor simulation test: cesium chloride particle characteristics.
abstract: Particles were generated from the detonation of simulated radiological dispersal devices (RDDs) using non-radioactive CsCl powder and explosive C4. The physical and chemical properties of the resulting particles were characterized. Two RDD simulation tests were conducted at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory: one of the simulated RDDs was positioned 1m above a steel plate and the other was partially buried in soil. Particles were collected with filters at a distance of 150 m from the origin of the RDD device, and particle mass concentrations were monitored to identify the particle plume intensity using real time particle samplers. Particles collected on filters were analyzed via computer-controlled scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (CCSEM/EDX) to determine their size distribution, morphology, and chemical constituents. This analysis showed that particles generated by the detonation of explosives can be associated with other materials (e.g., soil) that are in close proximity to the RDD device and that the morphology and chemical makeup of the particles change depending on the interactions of the RDD device with the surrounding materials.
authors: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711, United States. lee.sangdon@epa.gov
authors: Sang Don
authors: SD
authors: Lee
authors: Emily G
authors: EG
authors: Snyder
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Willis
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Fischer
authors: Dianne
authors: D
authors: Gates-Anderson
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Sutton
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Viani
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Drake
authors: John
authors: J
authors: MacKinney
mesh_terms: D002586:Cesium / Q000737:chemistry*; D002712:Chlorides / Q000737:chemistry*; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000032:analysis; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000032:analysis*; D053834:Explosive Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010316:Particle Size; D056928:X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
chemical_list: D002712:Chlorides; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D053834:Explosive Agents; D002586:Cesium; C028019:cesium chloride