Gross Alpha-Based Continuous Air Monitor: Mathematical Modeling, Measurements, and Interpretation

The detection and measurement of transuranic activity in ambient air by counting alpha particles is confounded due to the presence of short-lived alpha-emitting isotopes due to radon and thoron. This paper describes an algorithm intended for use in a gross alpha-based continuous air monitor. The algorithm is capable of generating the variation of gross alpha count rate with time from air filter samples using in situ–measured radon progeny data. The required input of atom concentration can be obtained from a simple experimental technique, which is discussed here.