In vivo public monitoring in emergency exposure scenarios

Abstract In a nuclear or radiological accident scenario, where members of the public can potentially take up anthropogenic radionuclides released in atmosphere, verified methods to fast screen for internal contamination large number individuals directly on field play major role adopt appropriate countermeasures. At ENEA Casaccia Research Centre (Rome, Italy), spectrometric monitoring method, based portable HpGe detector Trans-Spec-DX-100, has been developed. this work, results 2019 measurement campaign, method sensitivity was tested, terms detection limits (DL) common fission and (some) activation products by acquiring gamma spectra 102 uncontaminated volunteers (57 adults, 45 children between 7 12 years age) are presented. The spectra, collected with acquisition time 180 s, have analysed according Standard ISO 28218 activity limit (Bq) calculations ICRP Publications 134, 137, 141 related minimum measurable committed effective dose. measurements were taken open paved surface, presence an environmental radiation background, given term ambient dose equivalent rate, $$\dot{H}$$ H ˙ * (10), equal 0.230 ± 0.020 μSv/h, order study both potentiality limitation technique significant statistic. presented discussed particularly focusing specific characteristics technique, respect features reported European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) document STI/PUB/1708 (2015), techniques described current literature.