title: Solid thoron source preparation in a porous mineral matrix.
abstract: Thoron and progeny are decay products of (232)Th with a great impact on human health. The release of thoron gas from the mining and milling of thorite, monazite and other major thorium ores has been recognised as a potential radiological health hazard. For precise measurements, calibration is a very important factor. This paper describes a cheap and easy way of producing a stable thoron source made of thorium nitrate packed in a porous clay mineral matrix used as (220)Rn generator. The source should have a small spherical shape and be fired at 600°C; this will lead to a great pore volume, necessary for the thoron gas. High importance should be given to the water uptake. The exhalation power of (220)Rn was measured using a Lucas scintillation cell. Experimental efficiency values obtained ranged between 0.16 and 1.44 %.
authors.affiliation: Social Organisation for Radio Ecological Cleanliness, Egyetem u. 10, Veszprem, Hungary. traktor@almos.vein.hu
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jobbágy
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bety-Denissa
mesh_terms: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D016902:Air Pollution, Indoor / Q000032:analysis*; D002138:Calibration; D004867:Equipment Design; D016062:Porosity; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011886:Radon / Q000032:analysis*; D017687:Radon Daughters / Q000032:analysis*; D012306:Risk; D012588:Scintillation Counting; D013696:Temperature; D017970:Thorium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive; D017687:Radon Daughters; D017970:Thorium Compounds; C036680:thorium nitrate; D011886:Radon