Abstract
In this work we present a method for the direct determination of contaminant fallout rates on material surfaces from exposure to dust. Naturally occurring radionuclides 40K, 232Th, 238U and stable Pb were investigated. Until now, background contributions from dust particulate have largely been estimated from fallout models and assumed dust composition. Our method utilizes a variety of low background collection media for exposure in locations of interest, followed by surface leaching and leachate analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The method was validated and applied in selected locations at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) and the SNOLAB underground facility. A comparison between data obtained from direct ICP-MS measurements and those estimated from current model-based predictors is also performed. Discrepancies of one order of magnitude or higher are observed between estimated and directly measured accumulation rates.
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