Study of size distribution and elemental composition of environmental aerosols with nuclear track microfilters, electron microscope and electron microprobe

Abstract

Abstract Environmental aerosols in a working place with nuclear facilities have been collected with a cascade nuclear track microfilter. The size distribution of aerosols are measured with a scanning electron microscope. Their elemental compositions are analyzed with an electron microprobe and x-ray spectroscopy. The study shows that nuclear track microfilter, electron microscope and electron microprobe compose a set of instruments excellent to study aerosols. Two groups of aerosols have been shown in the air sampled. One group consists of radioactive particles, the other one of conventional dust particles. The study also shows that nuclear track microfilter can be used to remove radioactive and non-radioactive aerosols from air in working environments.