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Environmental Protection Agency's National Radiation Air Monitoring Network
Oral Presentation
Prepared by D. Askren, S. Telofski
USEPA NAREL, US EPA National Analytical and Radiation Environmental Laboratory, Montgomery, AL, 36115
Contact Information: askren.dan@epa.gov; 334-270-3422
ABSTRACT
The United States Environmental Protection Agency operates a national environmental radiation monitoring program called RadNet. This network monitors airborne particulates, precipitation, milk, and drinking water for radiation levels. The primary purpose of the original program in the 1950s and 1960s was to collect and analyze samples in various media to assess the effects of radioactive fallout from above-ground nuclear weapon testing. As above-ground testing diminished in the 1970s, the program, especially the air network, became critical in evaluating effects of other types of nuclear incidents, such as the nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl, as well as monitoring trends in environmental radioactive contamination. The value of rapid data collection subsequent to such incidents led to the consideration of developing air monitors with radiation detectors and telecommunication equipment for real-time radiation measurement. The strengthened United States homeland security posture after 2001 led to production and installation of the current real-time RadNet air monitors, and the benefits of the upgraded and expanded network were realized during the Fukushima nuclear incident.
The network currently includes 130 stationary, continuously operating air monitors. These monitors include radiation detectors, meteorological sensors, high-volume air samplers and communication devices for hourly data transfers. The real-time data collected by RadNet stationary systems permit rapid identification and quantification of airborne nuclides with sufficient sensitivity to provide critical information to help determine protective actions. The data also may help to rapidly refine long-range radioactive plume models and estimate exposure to the population.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by D. Askren, S. Telofski
USEPA NAREL, US EPA National Analytical and Radiation Environmental Laboratory, Montgomery, AL, 36115
Contact Information: askren.dan@epa.gov; 334-270-3422
ABSTRACT
The United States Environmental Protection Agency operates a national environmental radiation monitoring program called RadNet. This network monitors airborne particulates, precipitation, milk, and drinking water for radiation levels. The primary purpose of the original program in the 1950s and 1960s was to collect and analyze samples in various media to assess the effects of radioactive fallout from above-ground nuclear weapon testing. As above-ground testing diminished in the 1970s, the program, especially the air network, became critical in evaluating effects of other types of nuclear incidents, such as the nuclear reactor accident at Chernobyl, as well as monitoring trends in environmental radioactive contamination. The value of rapid data collection subsequent to such incidents led to the consideration of developing air monitors with radiation detectors and telecommunication equipment for real-time radiation measurement. The strengthened United States homeland security posture after 2001 led to production and installation of the current real-time RadNet air monitors, and the benefits of the upgraded and expanded network were realized during the Fukushima nuclear incident.
The network currently includes 130 stationary, continuously operating air monitors. These monitors include radiation detectors, meteorological sensors, high-volume air samplers and communication devices for hourly data transfers. The real-time data collected by RadNet stationary systems permit rapid identification and quantification of airborne nuclides with sufficient sensitivity to provide critical information to help determine protective actions. The data also may help to rapidly refine long-range radioactive plume models and estimate exposure to the population.