Experimental study of radioactive aerosols in the vicinity of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant

Study of radioactive aerosols in the relocation zone and in the populated a reas have been carried out for a number of years. The experiments on modell ing resuspension were performed while conducting agricultural work. Nuclear track radiography and alpha spectrometry with radiochemical extraction of plutonium were used as analytical methods for the determination of the tran suranium elements contents. The distributions of radioactive particles were obtained as to activity and sizes. Specific activity of "hot particles" in creases with decreasing diameter. In aerosols selected at a distance of mor e than 10 km from the Chernobyl NPP pure fuel particles with sizes of more than 5 mu m were not found. The activity of the finely dispersed fraction o f aerosols, which is more dangerous when inhaled by the organism, is compar able with a total activity of large particles. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.