Rapid assessment methodology in NORM measurements from building materials of Uzbekistan.

Utilizing low cost NaI(Tl) scintillation detector systems we present methodology for the rapid screening of building material samples and the determination of their Radium Equivalent Activity (Raeq). Materials from Uzbekistan as a representative developing country have been measured and a correction coefficient for Radium activity is deduced. The use of the correction coefficient offers the possibility to decrease analysis times thus enabling the express measurement of a large quantity of samples. The reduction in time, cost and the use of inexpensive equipment can democratize the practice of screening NORM in building materials in the international community.

Application of NaI(Tl) detector for measurement of natural radionuclides and (137)Cs in environmental samples: new approach by decomposition of measured spectrum.

An alternative method for determination of activities of natural, technogenic and fallout radionuclides in environmental samples was proposed. The method used a widely available scintillation spectrometer and was based on the decomposition of samples' gamma-spectra into spectral components of separate radionuclide groups with the help of standard sources. The method was tested on water, soil and coal samples and could be successfully used in field (expedition) conditions (without liquid nitrogen for the detector cooling).