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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

ENVIRONMENTAL MEASUREMENTS OF RADIOXENON

Conference ·
OSTI ID:928281
Radioactive xenon (radioxenon) is produced by the fissioning of nuclear material, either via neutron-induced or spontaneous fission, and also via neutron activation of xenon gas and other reactions. The most abundant xenon isotopes in the atmosphere are 131mXe, 133Xe and 135Xe, having been measured at several locations in the northern hemisphere associated with reactor operation, medical isotope production, and more recently associated with the spontaneous fission of 240Pu from the legacy materials at plutonium production facility in Hanford, Washington. Radioactive xenon measurement at levels near the average atmospheric level (1-10 mBq/m3) is a “specialty” measurement, requiring specialized collection, separation, and nuclear measurement techniques. This paper describes the political and scientific drivers for making radioxenon measurements, background sources, and current techniques for these measurements.
Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
928281
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-51637; NN4001040
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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