Am-241 in the urban air – Monitoring and simulation results

Abstract

Concentration of 241Am was identified and analyzed during seven weeks between April and June 2021 in central Poland, using ASS500 monitoring station. The results changed from 0.305 to 4.241 µBq/m3. The lack of other, associate artificial isotopes on filters and no presence of isotope on other stations in Poland indicate on local emission. Processing of electrical waste, especially isotopic smoke detectors, has been investigated as a possible reason of the 241Am release into the atmosphere, probably in high temperature phase of metal separation. The possible circumstances of distribution of the radioactive 241Am isotope in the urban air in central Poland have been investigated and described.