Application of low-background gamma-ray spectrometry to monitor radioactivity in the environment and food.
The results are described of an upgrade of the low-background gamma-ray spectrometry laboratory at New York State Department of Health by acquiring sensitivity to low-energy gamma rays. Tuning of the spectrometer and its low-energy response characteristics are described. The spectrometer has been applied to monitor the environment by measuring aerosols and water in New York State contaminated by the 2011 Fukushima accident plume. In addition, the spectrometer has been used to monitor radioactivity in food by performing a study of cesium in Florida milk.
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA. Electronic address: axk14@health.state.ny.us.
A J
AJ
Khan
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA.
T M
TM
Semkow
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
S E
SE
Beach
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
D K
DK
Haines
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
C J
CJ
Bradt
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
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A
Bari
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
U-F
UF
Syed
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
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M
Torres
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
J
J
Marrantino
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12201, USA.
M E
ME
Kitto
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
T
T
Menia
Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Empire State Plaza, Albany,NY 12201, USA.
E
E
Fielman
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D001417:Background Radiation; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005507:Food Contamination, Radioactive / Q000032:analysis*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013051:Spectrometry, Gamma / Q000295:instrumentation*
D000396:Air Pollutants, Radioactive
(137)Cs; (40)K; Fukushima plume; Low gamma energy; Milk