Citation:

Hao, W., S. Baker, E. Lincoln, S. Hudson, S. Lee, AND P. Lemieux. Cesium Emissions from Laboratory Fires . JOURNAL OF THE AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION. Air & Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, PA, , 49, (2018). https://doi.org/10.1080/10962247.2018.1493001

Impact/Purpose:

If a radiological incident such as a nuclear power plant accident, a radiological dispersal device, or detonation of an improvised nuclear device occurs, significant areas may be contaminated. Initial cleanup priorities would likely focus on populated areas, leaving the forested areas to pass several seasons where the overhead canopy materials would fall to the forest floor. In the event of a wildfire in a radionuclide-contaminated forest, some radionuclides would be emitted while the rest would remain in the ash. This paper reports on a laboratory simulation study that examines the partitioning of cesium-133 (a non-radioactive isotope of cesium) between airborne particulate matter and residual non-entrained ash when pine needles and peat are doped with cesium. The results from this study will be used for modeling efforts to assess potential exposure risks to firefighters and the surrounding public.

Description:

This journal article studied the partitioning of Cs between airborne particulate and residual ash from burning Cs-contaminated vegetation as a function of particle size distribution (PSD), and to correlate Cs emissions with carbon-containing compounds and combustion efficiency.

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