A simple technique for determining the equilibrium equivalent Thoron concentration using a CR-39 detector: Application in mineral treatment industry

¹ Department of Nuclear Technology, Chulalongkorn University, 10330 Bangkok, Thailand
² Research Center for Radiation Protection, National Institute of Radiological Sciences, 263-8555 Chiba, Japan

Corresponding author: tokonami@nirs.go.jp

Abstract

The paper presents a simple technique for determination of the Equilibrium Equivalent Thoron Concentration (EETC). A solid-state nuclear alpha track detector (SSNATD) named CR-39 manufactured by BARYOTRAK is used as the detector. This technique can be utilized anywhere, provided that air sampling is carried out with a DC driving pump. Although the measurement of Thoron concentrations is useful enough for screening high Thoron exposure, it is still necessary to determine Thoron progeny concentrations in order to complete dose assessment. After applying this technique for determining the EETC in some selected areas in southern Thailand, it has been found that the obtained EETC values are consistent with the values presented in the report compiled by UNSCEAR in 2000.